Skip to main content

Zeng Jianyong Art

Chinese, b. 1971
Jianyong Zeng was born in 1971 in Chengdu, in the Sichuan Province of China. He originally trained as a illustrator for children’s books, completing several for Warner Book Publications before choosing to focus on his own paintings. Zeng has a unique style and subject matter, both of which he exploits to their fullest potential in his Header Series. This group of paintings depicts children with disproportionately large heads and wide eyes. They stare out from the canvas with expressions that suggest a combination of innocence and anxiety. One is reminded of the travails of childhood and of the difficulty children face in learning to navigate a world that operates beyond their understanding and without their consent. These portraits also have a more particular meaning. The term Header, refers to the title that is granted to the highest-achieving children in each class at school. To be a Header is a coveted position and parents often pressure their children into working extraordinarily hard to win this title. Zeng seems to imply that although Headers enjoy a certain level of prestige, they are often envied by their classmates, who taunt and bully them. In the paintings, the children’s frightened eyes and sprawling red marks, suggestive of physical abuse, attest to the realities they face. Zeng’s interest in this subject arose from the very personal experience of watching his young son attend school. As a result of this close encounter, Zeng developed a sense of sympathy and compassion for these youth who spend their time seeking to appease their parents, rather than enjoying a carefree childhood. In spite of the pressures they face, however, the children in his paintings still retain a measure of childhood innocence that will not be overcome. The Header Series is compelling because it captures this tension of childhood by creating portraits that are intimate and very honest.
to
3
2
4
3
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
9
5
7
7
6
5
4
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
9

Use search to find more

9
11,999
2,897
2,541
1,649

Use search to find more

Artist: Zeng Jianyong
Zeng Jianyong "The Header No. 54"
Zeng Jianyong "The Header No. 54"

Zeng Jianyong "The Header No. 54"

By Zeng Jianyong

Located in Los Angeles, CA

ZENG JIANYONG (b. 1971) The Header No. 54 2007 Ink and watercolor on handmade paper 28.5 x 56.75 inches (90 cm x 73 cm) Framed 29.5 x 58 inches Inventory Number: CNLS2643 Jianyong ...

Category

Early 2000s Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

The Header No. 67 Ink and Watercolor Print, Framed, Circa 2008, 37x30"
The Header No. 67 Ink and Watercolor Print, Framed, Circa 2008, 37x30"

The Header No. 67 Ink and Watercolor Print, Framed, Circa 2008, 37x30"

By Zeng Jianyong

Located in Los Angeles, CA

ZENG JIANYONG (b. 1971) "The Header No. 67" 2008 Ink and watercolor on handmade paper Sheet Size: 35 ½ x 28 ¾ inches (90 cm x 73 cm) Framed Size: 37H x 30W inches Inventory Number: C...

Category

Early 2000s Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

The Header No. 68 Ink and Watercolor on Handmade Paper, Framed, 2008
The Header No. 68 Ink and Watercolor on Handmade Paper, Framed, 2008

The Header No. 68 Ink and Watercolor on Handmade Paper, Framed, 2008

By Zeng Jianyong

Located in Los Angeles, CA

ZENG JIANYONG (b. 1971) The Header No. 68 2008 Ink and watercolor on handmade paper 35 ½ x 28 ¾ inches (90 cm x 73 cm) Inventory Number: CNLS2643 Jiangyong Zeng was born in 1971 in...

Category

Early 2000s Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

Spare Time 16
Spare Time 16

Spare Time 16

By Zeng Jianyong

Located in Palm Desert, CA

An ink and watercolor on handmade paper painting by contemporary Chinese artist Zeng Jianyong. "Spare Time 16" is executed in pastel watercolors and depicts an anthropomorphic portra...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor, Handmade Paper

Spare Time 23
Spare Time 23

Spare Time 23

By Zeng Jianyong

Located in Palm Desert, CA

An ink and watercolor on handmade paper painting by contemporary artist Jianyong Zeng. The painting is executed in pastel watercolor and depicts the portrait of an anthropomorphic dog...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor, Handmade Paper

Discipline-Reading Boy
Discipline-Reading Boy

Discipline-Reading Boy

By Zeng Jianyong

Located in Palm Desert, CA

An ink and watercolor on handmade paper painting by contemporary Chinese artist Jianyong Zeng. "Discipline-Reading Boy" depicts a boy, a necklace of thorns around his neck, reading a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Handmade Paper, Ink, Watercolor

Zeng Jianyong "The Header No. 74"
Zeng Jianyong "The Header No. 74"

Zeng Jianyong "The Header No. 74"

By Zeng Jianyong

Located in Los Angeles, CA

ZENG JIANYONG (b. 1971) The Header No. 74 2008 Ink and watercolor on handmade paper 35 ½ x 28 ¾ inches (90 cm x 73 cm) Inventory Number: CNLS2643 Jianyong Zeng was born in 1971 in ...

Category

Early 2000s Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

Spare Time 26
Spare Time 26

Spare Time 26

By Zeng Jianyong

Located in Palm Desert, CA

An ink and watercolor on handmade paper painting by contemporary Chinese artist Jianyong Zeng. "Spare Time 26" is executed in pastel watercolor and depicts the portrait of an anthropomorphic dog...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor, Handmade Paper

Discipline-Flying Bird
Discipline-Flying Bird

Discipline-Flying Bird

By Zeng Jianyong

Located in Palm Desert, CA

An ink and watercolor on handmade paper painting by contemporary artist Zeng Jianyong. Executed is muted pastels of blues, pinks, white and black, "Discipline-Flying Bird...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Handmade Paper, Ink, Watercolor

Related Items
Studio 54 - Bananarama - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus
Studio 54 - Bananarama - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus

Studio 54 - Bananarama - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus

By Jeff Conroy

Located in Chicago, IL

A small octopus is inked in the Japanese style of Gyo-Taku print making. Using sumi ink to "print" the octopus, the artist then embellishes it with colored pencil to convey an extra...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil

Supermodels in Vogue: Contemporary Watercolor on Paper, Unframed 14x11
Supermodels in Vogue: Contemporary Watercolor on Paper, Unframed 14x11

Supermodels in Vogue: Contemporary Watercolor on Paper, Unframed 14x11

By Manuel Santelices

Located in Miami Beach, FL

The artist has covered New York collections for over 16 years and has interviewed, as a journalist, several fashion designers and personalities for different publications. He loves t...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Ink, Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

Goldilocks - Green Goblin - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus
Goldilocks - Green Goblin - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus

Goldilocks - Green Goblin - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus

By Jeff Conroy

Located in Chicago, IL

A small octopus is inked in the Japanese style of Gyo-Taku print making. Using sumi ink to "print" the octopus, the artist then embellishes it with colored pencil to convey an extraordinary dimensionality. By printing it on hand-made Mulberry paper the artist achieves a beautiful aesthetic. This artwork is unframed. Contact gallery for framing options. Jeff Conroy Goldilocks - Green Goblin...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil

Lemon Meringue - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of a Multi-Colored Octopus
Lemon Meringue - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of a Multi-Colored Octopus

Lemon Meringue - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of a Multi-Colored Octopus

By Jeff Conroy

Located in Chicago, IL

A small octopus is inked in the Japanese style of Gyo-Taku print making. Using sumi ink to "print" the octopus, the artist then embellishes it with colored pencil to convey an extraordinary dimensionality. By printing it on Mulberry paper, which mimics the swirl of water, the artist achieves a beautiful aesthetic. The artwork is matted and framed in a simple white wooden frame measuring 18.25h x 24.25w x 1d inches. Jeff Conroy Lemon Meringue sumi ink and colored pencil on mulberry paper 12.50h x 18.25w in 31.75h x 46.35w cm JEC118 Gyotaku - A Japanese word translated from "gyo" meaning fish and "taku" meaning stone impression and is believed to get its inspiration from Chinese stone rubbings...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil

Unititled, Original Oil Painting on Handmade Paper, Framed, 2006
Unititled, Original Oil Painting on Handmade Paper, Framed, 2006

Unititled, Original Oil Painting on Handmade Paper, Framed, 2006

By Alexander Gore

Located in Aventura, FL

Original painting on handmade paper. Hand signed and dated on front by the artist. Artwork size 19 x 12.25 inches. Frame size approx 30 x 26 inches. Artwork is in excellent condi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Oil, Handmade Paper

Studies of Women: Cabaret Dancers, Horsewoman, and Female Profiles
Studies of Women: Cabaret Dancers, Horsewoman, and Female Profiles

Studies of Women: Cabaret Dancers, Horsewoman, and Female Profiles

By Giovanni Boldini

Located in Paris, Île-de-France

Attributed to Giovanni Boldini (1842–1931) Studies of Women: Cabaret Dancers, Horsewoman, and Female Profiles Circa 1900 Ink wash and brown wash on paper, 28.5 x 19.5 cm Unsigned I...

Category

Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor, Laid Paper

Ripley’s Believe It or Not - Original 1940 Watercolor Illustration Robert Ripley
Ripley’s Believe It or Not - Original 1940 Watercolor Illustration Robert Ripley

Ripley’s Believe It or Not - Original 1940 Watercolor Illustration Robert Ripley

Located in Glenford, NY

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Original 1940 Watercolor Illustration by Robert Ripley/Ripley Studio for Publication April 28 A colorful 1940 Believe It or Not illustration layout by Ro...

Category

1940s American Realist Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

Orientalist "Moorish Soldier Holding a Rifle" Manuel Garcia Hispaleto
Orientalist "Moorish Soldier Holding a Rifle" Manuel Garcia Hispaleto

Orientalist "Moorish Soldier Holding a Rifle" Manuel Garcia Hispaleto

Located in SANTA FE, NM

"Moorish Soldier Holding a Rifle" Manuel Garcia Hispaleto (Spanish, 1836-1898) Watercolor on paper Signed lower left "MGHispaleto" Original wood frame with gilded stucco 18 3/4 x 12 1/2 (33 1/2 x 26 frame) inches Manuel García Hispaleto, originally Manuel García y Martínez (22 November 1836, Seville -26 December 1898, Madrid) was a Spanish painter known for portraits and costumbrista (genre) scenes. His brother, Rafael García...

Category

1850s Realist Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Watercolor, Handmade Paper

Goldilocks, Pastel - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus
Goldilocks, Pastel - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus

Goldilocks, Pastel - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus

By Jeff Conroy

Located in Chicago, IL

A small octopus is inked in the Japanese style of Gyotaku print making. Using sumi ink to "print" the octopus, the artist then embellishes it with colored pe...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil

Juniper - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus on Mulberry Paper
Juniper - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus on Mulberry Paper

Juniper - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus on Mulberry Paper

By Jeff Conroy

Located in Chicago, IL

A small octopus is inked in the Japanese style of Gyo-Taku print making. Using sumi ink to "print" the octopus, the artist then embellishes it with colored p...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil

Blue Blood - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of a Multi-Colored Octopus
Blue Blood - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of a Multi-Colored Octopus

Blue Blood - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of a Multi-Colored Octopus

By Jeff Conroy

Located in Chicago, IL

A small octopus is inked in the Japanese style of Gyo-Taku print making. Using sumi ink to "print" the octopus, the artist then embellishes it with colored pencil to convey an extraordinary dimensionality. By printing it on Mulberry paper, which mimics the swirl of water, the artist achieves a beautiful aesthetic. The artwork is unframed. Please contact the gallery for framing options. Jeff Conroy Blue Blood...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil

Chicano Abstract Expressionist Portrait -- The Red Headed Woman, Signed
Chicano Abstract Expressionist Portrait -- The Red Headed Woman, Signed

Chicano Abstract Expressionist Portrait -- The Red Headed Woman, Signed

By Ricardo de Silva

Located in Soquel, CA

Abstract Expressionist Portrait -- The Red Headed Woman by Chicano Artist Ricardo de Silva This striking abstract expressionist portrait is by Latino artist Ricardo (Richard) de Sil...

Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Charcoal, Acrylic, Gouache, Rice Paper

Quicksilver - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus
Quicksilver - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus

Quicksilver - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus

By Jeff Conroy

Located in Chicago, IL

A small octopus is inked in the Japanese style of Gyo-Taku print making. Using sumi ink to "print" the octopus, the artist then embellishes it with colored p...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil

Ripley’s Believe It or Not - Original 1940 Watercolor Illustration #2
Ripley’s Believe It or Not - Original 1940 Watercolor Illustration #2

Ripley’s Believe It or Not - Original 1940 Watercolor Illustration #2

Located in Glenford, NY

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Original 1940 Watercolor Illustration by Robert Ripley/Ripley Studio for Publication July 7, 1940 A 1940 Believe It or Not illustration layout by Robert ...

Category

1940s American Realist Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Ink, Watercolor

Rare Early Work, Mixed Media on Paper Realist Landscape by Tom Perkinson, Framed
Rare Early Work, Mixed Media on Paper Realist Landscape by Tom Perkinson, Framed

Rare Early Work, Mixed Media on Paper Realist Landscape by Tom Perkinson, Framed

By Tom Perkinson

Located in Encino, CA

Untitled Landscape, an original mixed media on paper by Tom Perkinson, is a piece for the true collector. His use of saturated violets, vivid yellows, and resplendent oranges pushes ...

Category

1970s Realist Zeng Jianyong Art

Materials

Pastel, Ink, Mixed Media, Watercolor, Color Pencil

Zeng Jianyong art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Zeng Jianyong art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Zeng Jianyong in ink, paint, watercolor and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Zeng Jianyong art, so small editions measuring 21 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Patricia Traub, Francisco Souto, and Robert Zakanitch. Zeng Jianyong art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $12,000 and tops out at $125,000, while the average work can sell for $36,000.

Artists Similar to Zeng Jianyong