Chen Shaohua

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Chen Shaohua

Chen Shaohua (Chinese:陈绍华) is a Chinese graphic designer. He came into prominence in 2012 due to his controversial design for dragon stamp issued for the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Dragon (Loong), starting from Jan.23 in line with the Gregorian calendar.

Chen claims that his dragon design, which sports round bulging eyes, two sets of sharp teeth and four open claws, derives from the pattern on "dragon robes" worn by Chinese emperors in the Qing Dynasty. The fierce look on the face of Chen’s dragon is in stark contrast to the modest and amiable image that China wishes to convey to the world.

The design has sparked numerous complaints since its release in Dec., 2011. “The design is neither modern nor profound,” said Zhang Yiyi, a high-profile Chinese author who is active in showbiz circles. “It is not good for China to promote and spread its ‘Loong’ culture throughout the world.”

Many netizens were critical of the dragon’s fierce expression, saying it did little to spread auspicious blessings for the Chinese New Year. “Isn't it growling at someone?” wrote one netizen with the online alias of “Summer”.

Amid the mounting criticism, Chen defended his creation by describing it as a symbol rich in confidence and vitality. “The dragon’s main responsibilities in old times were to ward off evil, prevent disasters and bring good luck to people,” he said. He added that the creature would lose its original character if it were portrayed in modern or cartoonish terms.

His stance was supported by China Post, which released the stamp a month ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year. “This dragon indicates a sense of dignity, severity and integrity. The cheerful colors on its body present a festive atmosphere to celebrate the coming Chinese Lunar New Year, bringing people power and confidence,” said Feng Shula, an official from China Post.

dragon stamp

Born in 1954 in Zhejiang Province, Chen received three years of academic training in interior decoration at the Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts, graduating in 1972. He continued his studies in interior decoration at the Central Academy of Art and Design in 1972. He joined the Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts upon his graduation in 1982.

Chen became an entrepreneur in 1992 with the establishment of his own design company in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. Nine years later, he set up a design consulting firm in Beijing.

A member of Alliance Graphique Internationale, Chen has produced a number of high profile graphic designs, including the insignia of Beijing’s candidacy for the Olympic Games in 2008, stamps commemorating World AIDS Day in 2003, a couple of stamps featuring animals from the Chinese zodiac to celebrate the Lunar New Year and the emblem of the annual conference of the Asia Development Bank in Shanghai.