Shanghai Daily news

Zhou Wenfu possesses all the traits that a quirky artist is supposed to have-long hair, a stylishly cool disheveled style of dress and a train of thought that often sinks into meditation or monologue depending on the situation - just as quick, he suddenly shifts back to the real world.

Yet, what makes this 50-year-old more unique is his identity as a pioneering educator in children's imagination and creativity development, a totally new concept for most people in the country.

Even today, Zhou still remembers clearly how embarrassed and disappointed he was 18 years ago when he set up his course offering children's imagination art - nearly 80 percent of his students "escaped" after the first class.

"Why does the apple have two legs?" "Why is the sun green?" "What have you done to my children?" "This is a total waste of time and money!" These were just some of the angry complaints the oil painter heard from skeptical and distrustful parents.

"I cannot blame the parents. To some degree, they are also the victims of the current educational system that smothered their imagination a long time ago," the lanky, introverted man said with a shrug of his shoulders. "What I am doing is to help trigger, nurture and preserve children's imagination and creativity by establishing a place where they can play without any rules, regulations and restrictions."

In venturing into his Children's Imagination Art Center in Changning District, one is suddenly overwhelmed with an avalanche of paintings that are abstract, dynamic visual images with sharp color contrasts.

Some are huge, over-sized fabric prints cascading from the ceiling while others are exquisite, delicate and meticulously aligned on the walls.

"These were all painted by children aged three to 13," Zhou said proudly, pointing to the brightly-colored art or "masterpieces" as he calls them.

To many adult viewers, these would quickly be dismissed as just the naughty doodles or rough daubings of children. However, in the eyes of Zhou who has studied arts education and children psychology over the years, the paintings are a true reflection of a child's mind, personality, his past experience and future dreams.

"Children who live in a single-parent family prefer some very bizarre colors such as gray, purple and black. What they draw is often queer and beyond understanding," Zhou said. "But I can tell from their paintings what's in their minds."

His way of teaching is unique, too. "Imagine! Imagine! Imagine!" is something the children shout before each class. This mantra has become something of a ritual. Inspired by Zhou, the children's imagination sparkle on canvas, pottery, silk fabrics and even T-shirts.

It is really hard to figure out what the picture is about. The abstract, irregular patterns with shocking colors always leave adult viewers trapped in a mysterious labyrinth of painting.

"They have no idea how to appreciate children's art work," Zhou said. "The way to appreciate them is not to learn what the paintings are about or what kind of skill they employ, but just to look at them as an art form and try to feel their heart and soul."

Reserved in appearance but radical in his views, Zhou, who became an oil painter through self-study and practice, is always considered as an eccentric.

"Maybe because I didn't take any tests or examinations, I am definitely not one of those academics. I paint because I love it. I practice in child education because the goal is worthy."

In order to implement his big plan to encourage children's imagination, in 1990 he quit his job at the Changning Culture and Arts Center and established Asia's first institute of children's imagination education.

Over the years, Zhou has held various children's art exhibits at unusual places - a musty, rusty factory, a dilapidated warehouse, a vacant swimming pool and at the beach, among others

"Art does not belong to sacred and shrine-like museums worshiped by hypocritical elites," he said. "Art exists in the sunshine and air, accessible to the public."