Born in Beijing, China, Cheng Yajie (b. 1958) studied at Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts from 1982 to 1985, and later at the Academy of Applied Arts in Vienna, Austria, graduating with a Master of Arts in 1994. Since the 1980s, Cheng has been participating in exhibitions worldwide. Cheng is best known for works in the style of the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism, presenting a world of fairy tales and fun. Starkly different, ’Hometown’ depicts the beauty and serenity of the Chinese countryside. It was painted by Cheng when he was only 11, on a self-made drawing board during a field trip.
