Painter Xiong Qinghua creates in his Western-style home and studio in Changhe village, Hubei province, many surrealist images that reflect the serene past of the countryside and its current realities. [Photo by the artist]

People were then amazed by the raw, unsophisticated style of his brushstrokes.

The reality of the countryside, which he portrayed, stirred nostalgia for the peaceful, idyllic rural life that is disappearing amid industrialization and urbanization.

Xiong's second solo exhibition, Immortal Village, ended on Friday at Beijing's Chen Gallery, in the 798 art zone, where many of his paintings were sold.

Meanwhile, a book on him titled A Wild Potato has been published.

Reacting to compliments like "Vincent van Gogh of China" because of their similar approaches to rural themes, and the fact their work was not recognized for a long time, Xiong says: "I can only laugh off the comparison. I feel a bit embarrassed. People do not know many (Western) painters and mention the few names they can remember when showing praise."