An exhibition of paintings and calligraphy works by Shi Jianzhong and Zhou Shijun, two famous Chinese artists, is held in Chongchuan district on Jan 1. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

A painting and calligraphy exhibition was held in Chongchuan district, Nantong, Jiangsu province on Jan 1, showcasing over 30 Chinese paintings and calligraphy works by Shi Jianzhong and Zhou Shijun, two famous Chinese artists.

The exhibition was hosted by the Nanjing University of Finance and Economics (NUFE), Nantong University, and Chongchuan district's federation of literary and art circles.

Shi Jianzhong was born in Tongzhou district, Nantong and now is an associate professor at the School of Artistic Design of NUFE. He specializes in Chinese art history, literary and art criticism, and landscape paintings.

To date, he has published more than 10 theses in professional publications and participated in the compilation of the History of the Chinese Painting Academy, which is a major project funded by the National Social Science Fund of China.

Zhou was born in Hai'an, Nantong and graduated from Nanjing Normal University with a major in calligraphy and Chinese. 

He is now a member of the council of the Jiangsu Calligraphers Association, vice-chairman of the Nantong Calligraphers Association, and director of the calligraphy and seal cutting research institute of Nantong University. He has published several influential books on calligraphy.