---
title: Zhou Fang
description: Ink and water painter pursuing philosophical  connotations
url: https://www.artsume.com/a/fang-zhou
type: artist
createdAt: "2026-06-06"
updatedAt: "2026-09-29"
disciplines:
  - Painting
  - Drawing
  - Art Writing
  - Art Criticism
  - Poetry
location: Shanghai, China
birthYear: 1984
---

# Zhou Fang

*Ink and water painter pursuing philosophical  connotations | Painting, Drawing, Art Writing, Art Criticism, Poetry | Based in Shanghai, China*

## Artist Statement

Endowed with a solid command of traditional brush and ink techniques, Fang Zhou’s works feature diverse artistic expressions and uniquely rigorous compositions brimming with strong visual appeal. Centered on the concepts of nature, the cosmos and Eastern philosophy, she creates a cohesive body of ink works. Reinterpreting traditional ink-wash motifs and breaking conventional compositional frameworks to forge a personal ink artistic language. Guided by qi, the artist integrates and varies lines, brushwork, ink, water and hues to depict mountains, rivers, flora, birds, flowers and the primal universe. The artist’s sincere and dedicated pursuit of painting, as well as the exquisite ink-wash techniques rooted in profound heritage, derive their origin and spiritual interpretation from the philosophy of I Ching.

## About

Fang Zhou, born into a family of artists, learned painting from his father at an early age. She specializes in freehand landscape Chinese painting and conducts in-depth research on the philosophical roots of Chinese painting theories. She is proficient in bilingual art theory and art criticism (Chinese & English). Her creations pursue the philosophical conception embodied in ink, water and brushwork. 

## Curriculum Vitae

### Education

- **2017** - MFA, Fine Arts and Chinese painting, School of Art, Nanjing University, Nanjing Shi, China
- **2006** - B.A. , English language, School of Foreign Languages, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu Shi, China

### Group Exhibitions

- **2025** - *Carry Forward Cultural Heritage, Strive for a Shared Dream —— Chinese Freehand Paintings Exhibition across Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao*, Fujian Academy of Painting, Fuzhou Shi, China
- **2020** - *Fruits of Achievement — Exhibition of Works by Bi Baoxiang and His Students*, Jiangsu Provincial Art Museum, Nanjing Shi, China
- **2019** - *The Third National Exhibition of Chinese Paintings themed on "Xu Beihong Spirit"*, Jiangsu Provincial Art Museum, Nanjing Shi, China
- **2017** - *The Second National Exhibition of Chinese Paintings themed on "Xu Beihong Spirit"*, Jiangsu Provincial Art Museum, Nanjing Shi, China

### Publications

- **2021** - *The BEAUTY OF Yin-Yun, An Sight into Ink and Strokes*, Shanghai People's Fine Arts Publishing House

## Portfolio

### Ten thousand things teem (2023)

*Ink and water on paper*

All things flourish; each returns to its root. This quote is from the Tao Te Ching. The root and the living things around express all beings' original nature and the eternal law.

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### Mused Danqing (2020)

*Ink and water on paper*

This painting expresses how the artist is enlightened by mountains and the clouds on a sunny day. Dark green mountain implied with emerald while clouds with rouge purple. Danqing, referring to red and green in the theory of ancient Chinese painting, now is a word embracing  the colour, ink and stroke of a Chinese painting. The inscription in the painting literally says integrating ingenious ideas into danqing, all things under heaven cannot hide. The artist wrote this in refined calligraphy to reflect the thoughts throughout the process of creating this piece of artwork.

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### Joy to the Earth (2020)

*Ink and water on paper*

The earth bears joy. All under heaven is nurtured by music. This idea originates from The Book of Rites.

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### In Clouds (2020)

*Ink and water on paper*

This painting depicts mountain, plants, waterfall and a boat in the drifting and shifting clouds.

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### The Rhythm (2019)

*Ink and water on paper*

All brushwork lies in rhythm and cadence, as the inscription written on the painting.

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### Soulmate (2018)

*Ink and water on paper*

In Chinese allusions, High Mountains and Flowing Water symbolizes kindred spirit or soulmate.

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### Clear Waters and Green Mountains  (2017)

*Ink and water on paper*

The left part of lotus leaves, flowers and roots illustrates clear water image. while the right part of mountain, clouds and bird green mountain image.