“Imaging Nature Between Painting and Photography” features a selection of 40 masterful artworks of Zeng Xiaolian, each depicting the richness of nature and the cycle of botanical life. Zeng Xiaolian is one of China’s leading botanical illustrators, and still holds the title of Senior Engineer of the Botanical Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in whose name he devoted his life to paintings of flowers and birds with a rigorous scientific spirit and reverence and passion for life. Since his retirement in 1997, Zeng Xiaolian continues to depict biodiversity in praise of the flourishing beauty of nature.
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As Paul Strand is quoted as saying, “Photography is only a new road from a different direction, still moving toward the common goal, which is life”. Since the invention of photography in 1839, photography and painting have developed with a significant degree of mutual influence. The style and form of early photography were influenced by compositional formats and human expressions found in painting. While photography also had an impact on the artistic concept of painting and the change of its form, modern artists even directly introduced photography into painting.
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Prior to the invention of photography, botanical illustrators recorded shapes and habitats of plants according to their observations and notes as part of the increasing interest in understanding, appreciating and, even, controlling nature. Through time, with developments in technology, other imaging technologies such as microscopy and X-ray found applications in the field of wildlife research. Increasingly photography could provide important reference materials for botanical illustrators, but could the photograph replace the patiently crafted painting? Naturally this is a question for lively debate, since we now know of numerous examples of fine photographers who have made extraordinary studies of plants and animals as subjects of their work.
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Zeng Xiaolian remains committed to his craft of painting studies of flowers and birds through painstaking observation and creative rendering. When he joined Kunming Institute of Botany under the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1958 and began his 40-year work as a botanical illustrator, Zeng Xiaolian first studied scientific painting methods, but over time would create his astonishing botanical illustrations based on his observation. Since retirement, his technique has become arguably ever more innovative. Remarkable examples can be found from the veins of the flowers’ petals and leaves to the texture of a bird’s feathers.
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The exhibition presents Zeng Xiaolian’s flower and bird paintings alongside examples of photographs and artworks by domestic and foreign artists such as Nobuyoshi Araki, Liu Ye, and Giovanni Ozzola. Viewers may perceive nature through photography and painting and broaden their horizons while understanding the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

“A stubborn boy who likes to draw, comes to painting by chance. From humble beginnings pressing leaves, he slowly enters the field of botanical illustration. It’s not essential work, but it is all the sustenance he needs. I sit on cold benches, trek deep into the mountains. At times, my heart swoops in awe at the beauty of the wild in the deep mountains and ancient forests. At others, I sit like a wooden chicken watching flowers blossom and fall, cherishing what feels like the true meaning of life. Between movement and stillness lies a fertile ground for inspiration. I compensate for my clumsy hand with its diligent practice. Flowers, birds and other natural elements flow from my brush, coaxing themselves into a semblance of life that leaves some small impression on the viewer. This is what I love to do, that’s all.”
- Zeng Xiaolian


Chinese botanical artist, Zeng Xiaolian was born in 1939 in Kunming, Yunnan Province. In 1958, upon graduation from high school, Zeng was recruited into Kunming Institute of Botany under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, retiring in 1997. During his career, he worked as an illustrator on numerous scientific texts such as Flora of China, Flora of Yunnan and Flora of Tibet. From 1983 to 1988, he served as Deputy Director of the China Botanical Society Council on Botanical Illustration. From 1988 to 1993, he served as director of that council. In 1995, he was named Senior Engineer of the Botanical Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is a member of the China Artists Association. Over the years, Zeng has received numerous awards for his paintings, which have also been widely exhibited and collected. Also, beginning in 1991, Zeng’s works have also been featured in no less than ten series of stamp designs commissioned by China State Post Bureau.