Fu says: "I am lucky to be nurtured by the expansive culture of Hunan and able to ground my art in the magical world of Tantou. The landscapes there are the roots of my life, the woodblocks are where the soul of my art lies, and the industrious people keep supporting me."

According to Dai, Hunan's folk culture is an "infinite spring" for Fu's work and the materials he gets from there enable him to build an "atmospheric stage" on which Fu revives folklore in new ways.

Fu also "pays back" to the people of his hometown through his art.

Contact the writer at linqi@chinadaily.com.cn