Flying Paintings: The Zhou Brothers: A Story of Revolution and Art

by Amy Alznauer, ShanZuo Zhou (Illustrator), DaHuang Zhou (Illustrator)

The epic story of two Chinese brothers who became art-world legends, illustrated with stunning paintings by the artists themselves

First there was one Zhou brother, and then there were two. They lived in a bookstore with their grandmother, Po Po, whose stories of paintings that flew through the air and landed on mountain cliffs inspired them to create their own art. Amid the turbulence of China’s Cultural Revolution in the 1970s, the Zhou Brothers began painting together on the same canvas. Today, ShanZuo and DaHuang Zhou are icons in the art world, renowned for working side by side on all their paintings and sculptures.

In this extraordinary biography, author Amy Alznauer joins with the Zhou Brothers to tell the story of their unique and often difficult childhood and their pursuit of a wild, impossible dream. The lyrical writing blends elements of legend, while the brothers’ dramatic illustrations soar with vibrant colors and surreal imagery from ancient Chinese cliff paintings. An inspiration for young artists and dreamers of all kinds, this deeply felt collaboration explores how art can bring people together, as well as set them free.

Genres: Art, Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, China, Childrens, History

48 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2020

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flying Paintings is about the Zhou brothers: Shaoli & Shaoning who reached great fame for their art style that seems to fly out to viewers. Born during an unlucky time of China, the Cultural Revolution broke up their big family, and the boys were left under the care of their Grandmother. It is through her that instilled their passion for art, using it as a peaceful hobby to escape from the frightful time they lived in. But like many great passions, comes great troubles, as the brothers struggled to support themselves under a restrictive regime and art school. Finding influence in the cliff paintings of their homeland, they worked together, and fought many times, to create their long-awaited works that became part of the new recognition in art.

Admitted in the author's notes, Alznauer skipped over a lot of details in the brothers' life story, but she was on point in detailing their way to art history: from methods and inspirations. Amazingly, the Zhou brothers also illustrated the pictures in this book as well, helpful in recognizing their art style! As the lesson goes, to make great art, one must always be up to the challenge, and that's what they did by moving to the U.S., reaching new fame there as well. This book portrays them well and serve how hardships came serve as a stepping stone towards reaching dream goals.

[Michela Pisano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Due fratelli danno alla loro stessa arte il compito di narrare la storia della loro vita. Così, sotto le loro mani di artisti, si anima un racconto fatto di poche pennellate nere e grandi campiture di colore ad acquerello. Un racconto di repressione, fratellanza e antiche eredità da cogliere, sullo sfondo della neonata Repubblica Popolare Cinese.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This unique biography of these Zhou Brothers, world-renowned contemporary artists, is written by Amy Alznauer but it is unique in that the Zhou Brothers themselves illustrated it. The tale is told that first there was one brother, then a few years later, another arrived. They had good times together but argued, too. They lived with their grandmother, Po Po who had a bookstore and taught them the beauty of knowledge that comes from books. She also told the ancient legend of paintings that flew through the air, landing on high mountain cliffs, free!
Unfortunately, it was the time of the Cultural Revolution and soon both parents were taken away, the bookstore destroyed and Po Po took the boys to live in a village hut. She told them of the paintings found in the mountains. Through hard times, one working hard on a mountain, while the other, still young, stayed at home, still loving art and looking for paper scraps for his drawings,. As they grew older, one was finally accepted at an art school while the other was left behind again. They did eventually unite and discovered that, even in disagreement, they could create paintings, wonderful ones, together. Some years later they took still another leap by immigrating to the United States. They now have their own studio but exhibit all over the world, supporting young artists. They believe art can bring people together and can set one free.
There is an Afterword from Amy Alznauer which adds to the story of these boys who even as young children, always wanted to do art, to be free!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for the copy!

[Vera Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chinese Cultural Revolution (onset and take over of communism) is hardly the topic for a children's picture book. However, this peek into the times of the Cultural Revolution and its impact on two Chinese boys whose artistic abilities were encouraged by a loving grandmother and at the same time stymied by the constraints of the harsh regime is interestingly portrayed in Flying Paintings. Of particular interest is the illustrations for this book are done by the two artists themselves. A rare foray for established artists.
The destruction of the grandmother's bookshop during the revolution is simply stated, and the separation and constraints imposed on the two boys is simply a fact of the times; and all of this is mildly stated in the text that portrays the story of these two boys.



I perceive this an important children's picture book biography that can also find its place amidst deeper, more intense studies of the Chinese Cultural Revolution; the book should definitely be placed in children's biographic collections.

The art of the two boys is contemporary in nature and they even ventured to copy ancient cave paintings and actually did some cave painting of their own.

They eventually immigrated to the United States of America and now reside in Chicago. Their art is displayed in America and also in Beijing, China.

I'm not particularly a fan of contemporary art, but I am definitely an admirer of people who have overcome the hardships of the Chinese Cultural Revolution and made a life for themselves in America.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a 3.5 for me, and I loved learning more about these two artists who survived the Cultural Revolution in China. The two brothers, Shaoli and Shaoning, lived with their grandmother who ran a bookstore until it was closed by the government. It was from this woman that the boys drew inspiration, wisdom, and the determination to go on even through the toughest of times as they lost both parents. Although Shaoli eventually was able to paint, he was given no freedom in his subject matter, and he longed for creative freedom to express himself however he wished. Although the brothers were separated for long periods of time, eventually they are reunited and find their way back to each other's hearts through their paintings. The ink and watercolor illustrations in this book, created by the Zhou brothers, who later moved to the United States, seem almost to fly from the book's pages, and several illustrations depict how something can be both beautiful and terrible, a lesson the brothers learned throughout their lives in a repressive regime. That heightened awareness seems particularly relevant today as onlookers might be stunned by the terrible beauty of a wildfire, all-consuming, destructive, yet beautiful in many ways. Readers will certainly want to take a second or third look at the illustrations and consider how challenging it might be to work with a sibling, especially if his/her artistic vision is different from one's own. Add this picture book to a classroom collection featuring artists or creative spirits. It even offers some insight into the Cultural Revolution.

[Eve Costarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art is powerful and its transformational power takes center stage in this historic tale of the Zhou brothers whose lives and art were shaped largely by the Cultural Revolution in China. This is a heavy theme for a children’s picture book but with the author's gentle touch of the subject, accompanied by dynamic ink-and-watercolor paintings by the subjects themselves, readers are immersed in the bold artistic style and the courageous spirit of the Zhou brothers. The book focuses not only on the historical moment in time but also on the difficulties that arise in families and those that relate to art, country, and humankind. The book is magnificently illustrated with art by the Zhou brothers themselves, enlivening the tale with a sense of a first hand narrative. This is a wonderful early non-fiction book that introduces two contemporary Chinese artists who were confronted with much suffering and many roadblocks but were still able to rise up and be true to who they really were.

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The inspiring story of two Chinese-American contemporary artists, Shaoli and Shaoning (now called ShanZuo and DaHuang), brothers who have collaborated with each other since 70s. Growing up during the Cultural Revolution, they were separated from their father and, later, their mother due to the political upheaval and experienced hardship and poverty. The two continued to pursue an artistic life, sometimes secretly, throughout their adversities and have gone on to achieve international fame and success. The bold ink and watercolor illustrations are works of the brothers themselves and an author's note at the end of the book provides more backstory and information.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very complex story encompasses a wide variety of elements that may be very unfamiliar to American kids from the Cultural Revolution to Chinese Art. I am in awe of how well the book manages to encompass and present them in the context of a very interesting story that will appeal to young readers.

The illustrations are truly wonderful and the theme of life being both beautiful and terrible will certainly strike a cord. It is wonderful to see this book about the Zhou brothers and their extraordinary art.

I would have loved more information about the cliff paintings of Huashan Mountains.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possible contender for the Mock Caldecott Awards in January. Amazing story about the Zhou Brothers, born in Wuming, China. Shaoli and Shaoning were brothers greatly influenced by their grandmother and her stories of the paintings that once flew through the air and still lived on the mountain cliffs. In spite of the new People's Republic of China, the brothers continued their interest in art and painting and are now world famous artists living in Chicago. They actually did the illustrations for this book.

[Brenda Kahn]

This gently told story of the Zhou brothers is more impressionistic than straightforward biography. It's an impressive story, well-told and the illustrations are gorgeous. An author's note follows which, basically repeats the story, adds a detail or two and explains why it was told the way it was. Further back matter would've been helpful to guide young researchers, like a timeline, more information about the Cultural Revolution and suggestions for further reading.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of 2 Chinese brothers who grew up during the Cultural Revolution in China. Despite losing their parents, the death of their grandmother, and the opposition of the government, they worked hard on their art and learned to paint. They were heavily influenced by some ancient paintings.

They are unusual in that they pair paint -- paint together on the same canvas.

They became successful in China and then (outside the scope of the main book text) moved to the US to start over again.

[Andy Nordvall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the first picture book bio I've read illustrated by the same artists whose life story is chronicled in the book. A wonderful story with beautiful illustrations. I love how the two brothers start with different styles which then merge as they learn to collaborate. Amy Alznauer also does a wonderful job covered decades of tumultuous history both personal and political, creating a sense of history and scope that I'd imagine is quite difficult for a picture book

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Each canvas was a battle of paint that transformed what was once two into a single dance, what was old into something new, and what was terrible into something beautiful."

A lovely picture book about the Zhou brothers, artists, who illustrated it themselves. I loved the dynamics between the two artistic siblings, the fascinating contours of their story, and the focus on art in a society that didn't prize expression.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told in a picture book this is the story of the Zhou Brothers and how they overcame hardships to create art. Through the Chinese Cultural Revolution in the 1970's they kept painting together to make their dream come true. I think this is a book to be shared with older readers, a historical look at China and a study of Art and spirit, perserverance and determination.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciate that this is a picture book biography of artists with the illustrations by those artists themselves, so that we can really see something of their art.

I didn't think the storytelling was always the smoothest, but it goes from the first brother as a young child up to the two first really finding success in China, with some additional information in the endnotes.

[Norkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things can be beautiful and terrible. A brief history of the brothers life and how they came to be. They collaborate to make their pieces, which is an interesting dynamic. We'll be looking them up to learn more and see more of their paintings!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beautiful and terrible of the world.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of two Chinese brothers who became world-renown artists. Great illustrations but the complicated story is a bit lacking.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elementary level biography of two artist who grew up in communist China where art was not supported and how they still became artists.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A superbly revealed dual biography, but one that feels aimed at older readers, even adults. It is both inspiring and informative and should be part of any artist’s collection.

[c · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5)

[Deidra Chamberlain · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good to learn about some current people and a historical era that has shaped our world and the world our kids will grow up in.

[Wendy Lu]

read in the children's aisle while waiting out the rain <3

[Kelly Darke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. A beautifully story of the early life and emerging art of Zhou Brothers accompanied by illustrations from the actual subject (The Zhou Brothers). A unique picture book for sure. Highly recommend!

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.