Hearing-impaired artist inspires many with Monkey King paintings

In the world of Chinese contemporary art, Chen Jianzhou stands out not just for his unique artistic vision but also for his remarkable life story. Despite being hearing impaired, Chen has carved a niche for himself, drawing inspiration from the legendary Monkey King in the Chinese classic "Journey to the West" throughout the past decade. 

His art merges traditional Chinese culture with modern trends, giving the Monkey King new dimensions and earning him accolades such as the "Best Sculpture Award" at the Start Los Angeles International Exhibit in 2018 and the title of "My Favorite Artist of 2021" on Artand, an online artist community and art trading platform. In 2024, he published a book combining his artworks and personal growth stories.

Publisher Fan Juanjuan commented, "In his paintings, the Monkey King's eyes and facial features are projections of Chen Jianzhou's own image. They share a lot in terms of their spiritual qualities too."

Chen's journey hasn't been easy. He lost his hearing permanently at age 3 due to a high fever. "I attended a normal primary school. When others saw me wearing a hearing aid, they would call me dumb and hit me. Many times, I had to just let it go. But I didn't understand why people who could hear would bully me. Was it because I was deaf?" he recalled.

The TV series adaptation of "Journey to the West" was a source of strength for Chen. "The image of the Monkey King has always been in my mind. I feel like I am him. I hope I could fly freely like him, be as healthy as him, and have as many transformations as him," he says.

Chen has created many paintings of the novel plot "The Real and the Fake Monkey Kings," using the two monkeys to depict the shared growth experiences with his brother. His brother, five years older, also lost his hearing due to a fever. "My brother gives me a great sense of security. He is my backup," Chen said.

Reflecting on his past, Chen always smiles, much like his paintings, which are full of humor and optimism. Fan Juanjuan noted, "In Mr. Chen's works, we can see the Monkey King encountering figures like Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, and even Pikachu—or the monkey becomes Vincent van Gogh. These transformations create a paradise that children might like. People can easily resonate with his paintings."

Riding the wave of contemporary art's rapid development in China, Chen's works have garnered a huge following and become highly sought-after exhibits both in China and abroad. His playful yet profound pieces often blend the elements from different cultures, as seen in his works inspired by Vincent van Gogh and Yayoi Kusama. "This could be seen as highlighting the connection between Chinese and Western culture. I hope Chinese culture can be seen on the global stage," said Chen.