By CGTN's Zhu Qinliang
Zhao Chuang is a paleo-artist – someone who paints pictures of dinosaurs.
As the only professional science artist in China, Zhao's work often appears in international media. In 2005, Wang Xiaolin, a scientist, discovered the fossil of an ancient flying animal. He got in touch with Zhao to have him paint it. Back then Zhao was in his second year of university.
Not long after, Zhao's drawing of ancient flying animals was used by Nature Magazine. This was the first drawing by a Chinese person to be put on the magazine's cover.
That was a very important step on his way. Since his drawings recreate originals, he has to know the dinosaurs' environment, as well as ancient meteorology and botany, not to mention fine art. He had to bring science and art together which was a very long road.
After graduating from university, Zhao left for Beijing. In 2009, he and the children's book author Yang Yang established the Woodpecker Science Club, which produced images of ancient creatures. They called their project "The Darwin Plan." The Darwin Plan was shared with the world through the journal of the International Geographical Congress.
The Chongqing Museum of Natural History contacted Zhao in 2015, asking him to make a short film about the Mamenchisaurus. After that, Zhao's exhibition of world dinosaurs was held in Chongqing's Museum of Natural History. The exhibition collected many of Zhao Chuang's paintings and sculptures. This was his first exhibition promoting his own work.
