Chinese Painter devotes illustration book to the Yellow River

A picture contained in Yu Dawu’s illustration book, which is dedicated to the Yellow River. [Photo: China Plus]

The Beijing-based painter Yu Dawu is doing his part. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently urged more efforts to promote the environmental protection of the Yellow River – which is revered by the Chinese as their "Mother River," as well as the cradle of the Chinese civilization.

An exhibition shows the pictures drawn by Yu Dawu, in his illustration book dedicated to the Yellow River. The exhibition opened in Beijing on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019.[Photo: China Plus]

Inspired to also make a difference, Yu Dawu has produced an illustration book on the renowned river. The artist, born in 1948, is highly regarded on the international stage, as he won the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition award in 2000.

His latest book illustrates everything from the Yellow River’s origin, stretches to where it flows into the Bohai Sea. Along the way, Yu captures the panorama of the river’s surrounding geography, relevant history and culture.

At a Beijing exhibition of his new book, Yu Dawu said in an exclusive interview that he drew it for children, hoping to arouse their passion for reading about meaningful topics – like environmental protection – as well as to deepen their affection for China’s natural beauty.

The book was published by the China Children's Press and Publishing Group, to mark this year’s historic occasion: the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Earlier, Zhao Hengfeng, deputy general manager of the publishing group, expressed his belief that publishing such books, rooted in Chinese culture, will appeal to domestic audience.

“China has been a big importer of foreign picture books,” Zhao said. “This is not only an expensive process, but also due to different cultural backgrounds, the aesthetics of translated works aren't easily understood by young readers here.”