The art scene in Beijing was very active at the end of the Year of the Rat. Many art shows were held at galleries across the city. They aimed to celebrate the Year of the Ox, and the thirtieth anniversary of China's reform and opening up policy.

A painting by He Yuanming. [Photo: cctv.com]

The exhibition of touring US painter He Yuanming has opened in Beijing. More than 40 art works are on display, including the paintings of his forte, the ox and horse.

He, a native painter in Sichuan won his first provincial awards in the 1980s. In 1995, he held his first overseas exhibition in Singapore. In 1996, He had his debut art show in Los Angeles. He then stayed there, and became a big part of the Los Angeles art scene. In recent years, He frequently held art shows back in Sichuan. A symposium on his works was also held at Peking University.

He's ink and brush paintings often highlight bright colors. They are much more creative compared to the subtle colors often found in traditional Chinese paintings. He has published many collections of his art works, including his thoughts and ideas on ink and brush painting.

A painting by He Yuanming. [Photo: cctv.com]

An art exhibition recalling the past three decades of China has opened at the Three Gorges Art Gallery in west Beijing. One hundred art pieces are on display, including calligraphy, ink and brush painting and seal carvings. Thousands of art works were submitted and only one hundred were selected. The show reflects the creative force of Chinese artists during the past thirty years especially in the last decade.

(CRI January 25, 2009)