The craftwork from artist Tamae Akimoto

Van Gogh spent his life struggling against poverty and probably never imagined his work would ever command such high prices as it does today. While not all artists have to face such dire circumstances, real life is often cruel.

Traveling to distant lands is a major source of inspiration for many artists, but a luxury many struggle to afford.

Now China is catching the world's attention culturally as well as economically and many foreign artists dream of traveling to China to see the scene for themselves.

A residency program has been helping artists from outside China visit the country since it was first launched by Red Gate Gallery in 2000. It's helped them produce fresh work, allowed them to participate in local and international exhibitions, and even enriched the local scene with fresh faces and new perspectives.

The people who initiated the scheme have recently expanded the program to cover Chinese artists who live far from the nation's artistic capital, Beijing. It gives them the opportunity to work in a studio environment with local and international artists. Sucessful applicants receive a small stipend, as well as a space to live and work at Bei Gao in eastern Beijing, an area full of artist' studios. The program provides six two-month residencies a year.

The first exhibition of Chinese Artists in Residence is called "Chuna' r". Held in August 2005, it featured the work of Shen Jindong, Xu Wentao, Chen Yufei, Sun Baijun and Chen Wenling. It was a great success.
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(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2007)