Flower-and-bird paintings created by 20 Chinese artists are on display at specially decorated exhibition halls in the Guan Shanyue Art Museum, showing the great creativity and inclusiveness of this traditional art form in modern times.

The decoration of the exhibition halls is inspired by classical Chinese garden designs, with potted plants and traditional windows in cracked-ice patterns dotting the displayed paintings. A multimedia work at the exhibition which is based on artist Chen Xiangbo’s lotus-flower-themed painting has been attracting many visitors. In the work, lotus flower petals slowly open and close, creating a dreamy atmosphere.

Visitors admire paintings in a specially decorated exhibition hall in the Guan Shanyue Art Museum. Photos by Cao Zhen

“We hope to lure young visitors to appreciate traditional Chinese paintings by utilizing modern digital technologies,” said Chen, director of the Guan Shanyue Art Museum. “Currently, the feedback from visitors is positive and in the future, we may select some of master Guan Shanyue’s paintings to give them a modern twist.”

Visitors admire flower-and-bird paintings at the Guan Shanyue Art Museum.

Flowers and birds have been favorite subjects of paintings in China since ancient time, offering a kind of special aesthetic interest. Chinese flower-and-bird paintings can express nobleness, vitality, human virtues and feelings. The tradition of Chinese painting evolved into two main trends, namely the gongbi style in which artists focus on meticulous strokes, giving their art a realistic and ornamental feeling, and the xieyi style which is more expressionistic and impulsive.

Chen Xiangbo’s painting is transformed into a multimedia work.

Since its establishment, the Guan Shanyue Art Museum has long been focusing on the development of Chinese painting. The 20 artists at the exhibition also expressed their thoughts on the creation of this traditional fine art form, highlighting the emotional connection between artists and the objects they paint.

Dates: Until Oct. 31

Booking: WeChat account “gsyart”

Venue: Guan Shanyue Art Museum, Futian District (福田区关山月美术馆)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit F