Multifaceted works show writer-painter's novel ideas

With no formal training, artist captures Shanghai lives in his stories and illustrations, blending realism with a bit of absurdity, Li Yingxue reports.

A tray lifts Jing'an Monastery, a single hand holds the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, and chopsticks delicately turn the pages of the novel Fan Hua (Blossoms) — these whimsical images come from the imagination of artist Jin Yucheng, who brings his hometown of Shanghai to life through a distinctive artistic vision.

Jin is better known as a celebrated writer, particularly for the novel that won him the Mao Dun Literature Prize in 2015.

While Fan Hua gained widespread recognition over the past decade, fueled by literary accolades and a TV adaptation by famed director Wong Kar-wai, Jin has devoted much of his time to painting.

Much like his literary works, Jin's paintings are marked by his unique style — each piece tells a story that blends realism with a touch of absurdity — a fantastical narrative brought to life with every brushstroke.