Zeng Jianyong Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
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
2
3
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
6
3
3
2
1
4
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
6
6
6
3
3
10
868
408
282
279
3
6
Artist: Zeng Jianyong
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink, Watercolor
Zeng Jianyong "The Header No. 68"
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink, Watercolor
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink, Watercolor
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Ink, Handmade Paper
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink, Watercolor, Handmade Paper
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Ink, Handmade Paper
Related Items
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil, Sumi Ink
$975
H 12.5 in W 18.25 in
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil
$640 Sale Price
20% Off
H 14.5 in W 19.75 in
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil
$640 Sale Price
20% Off
H 15 in W 19.5 in
Gold Flora Shadows Orchid - Metallic Botanical Cyanotype Painting Flowers, 2023
By Julia Whitney Barnes
Located in Kent, CT
In this contemporary botanical cyanotype painting in watercolor, ink, gouache, acrylic and cyanotype on Arches cotton paper, meticulously detailed flowers and plants, including orchi...
Category
2010s Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Ink, Watercolor, Gouache, Archival Paper, Pigment
$5,175
H 33 in W 26 in D 2 in
Kikusui - Japanese Gyotaku Painting of Orange Koi on Marbled Mulberry Paper
By Jeff Conroy
Located in Chicago, IL
In Japan, they are known as Nishikigoi, or living jewels. These brilliantly colored varieties of the Amur carp have been selectively bred by family owned fisheries for generations. When I began this series of Gyotaku (Japanese fish printing) I studied the many varieties of Koi, each with their own unique colors and patterns. To create these pieces I print common carp I catch myself with sumi ink using traditional techniques used by Japanese fisherman...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper
$1,480 Sale Price
20% Off
H 25 in W 37 in
Purple Nurple - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of a Purple-Colored Octopus
By Jeff Conroy
Located in Chicago, IL
A small octopus is inked in the Japanese style of Gyo-Tako 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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil
$640 Sale Price
20% Off
H 12.5 in W 18.25 in
Congregation - Japanese Style Gyotaku Painting of Koi on Marbled Mulberry Paper
By Jeff Conroy
Located in Chicago, IL
In Japan they are known as Nishikigoi, or living jewels. These brilliantly colored varieties of the Amur carp have been selectively bred by family owned fisheries for generations. Wh...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper
$1,680 Sale Price
20% Off
H 37 in W 25 in
Encounter - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Koi Pond on Mulberry Paper
By Jeff Conroy
Located in Chicago, IL
In Japan, they are known as Nishikigoi, or living jewels. These brilliantly colored varieties of the Amur carp have been selectively bred by family owned fisheries for generations. W...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil
$1,480 Sale Price
20% Off
H 25 in W 37 in
Berry Cobbler - 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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil
$640 Sale Price
20% Off
H 12.5 in W 18.5 in
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil
$640 Sale Price
20% Off
H 12.5 in W 18.25 in
String of Pearls - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus, Framed
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, in this case a paper that mimics the undulating patterns of water, the artist achieves a beautiful aesthetic. The artwork is matted and framed in a white wooden frame measuring 18.25h x 24.25w x 1d inches.
Jeff Conroy
String of Pearls
sumi ink and colored pencil on mulberry paper
12.50h x 18.50w in
31.75h x 46.99w cm
JEC126
Gyotaku - A Japanese word translated from "gyo" meaning fish and "taku" meaning stone impression and is believed to get its inspiration from Chinese stone...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Zeng Jianyong Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil
$975
H 12.5 in W 18.5 in
Stay Golden Pony Boy - Gyotaku Style Sumi Ink Painting of an Octopus, Framed
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 white wooden frame measuring 18.25h x 24.25w x 1d inches.
Jeff Conroy
Stay Golden Pony Boy
sumi ink and colored pencil on mulberry paper
12.50h x 18.25w in
31.75h x 46.35w cm
JEC123
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 Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Materials
Sumi Ink, Watercolor, Mulberry Paper, Color Pencil
$975
H 12.5 in W 18.25 in
Zeng Jianyong drawings and watercolor paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Zeng Jianyong drawings and watercolor paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Zeng Jianyong in handmade paper, ink, paint 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 drawings and watercolor paintings, so small editions measuring 21 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Jennifer Lowe, Kiki Smith, and Humberto Ramirez. Zeng Jianyong drawings and watercolor paintings 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 $25,000, while the average work can sell for $12,000.