“BRONZE LION”: This watercolor painting by artist Jun Zhan is one of many now on view at the Plainsboro Library Gallery. A reception will be held on Saturday, February 9 from 12 to 2 p.m. in conjunction with the library’s annual Chinese New Year Festival.

The Plainsboro Library is hosting an exhibit by accomplished artist Jun Zhan through February 27. His large format and detailed watercolors depict scenes of the Forbidden City in Beijing, as well as portraits of seniors from the Xinjiang Uygur region in China. A reception will be held on Saturday, February 9, 12 to 2 p.m., in conjunction with the library’s annual Chinese New Year Festival.

Jun Zhan paints portraits, still life, and cityscapes in a photo-realistic style. Most of his compositions are meticulously detailed close-ups of daily scenes, produced with a combination of methods derived from Western classical painting techniques, the “negative space” aesthetic in Chinese painting, and a documentary photography style. The Plainsboro Library exhibit will focus on the Forbidden City and portrait collections.

Jun Zhan has had a long career in the arts. At the age of 24, he became a member of The China Artists Association, and his works have often been included in the prestigious China National Art Museum. He has had numerous solo exhibitions, notably in the National Culture Palace, The Kunlun Beijing, and the Gallery of Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, the latter reaching the Chinese mainland’s national and local news programs. Solo exhibits in the U.S. include 3C Gallery Potomac, in Maryland, and at Rider University in Lawrenceville. His work can be found in many private and corporate collections. Jun Zhan has also been recognized as an outstanding arts educator, receiving a 2017 golden medal and certification and a 2018 silver medal and certification from Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

The Plainsboro Library is located at 9 Van Doren Street, Plainsboro. For more information, call (609) 275-2897 or visit the website at www.plainsborolibrary.org.