Chen Wenling: Creating a new spring by sculptures

One of Chen's representative works. [Photo provided to China Daily]

One depicts a tall, thin, red man, stretching his neck to sniff peach blooms. A similarly rendered character nearby is seated atop a structure surrounded by red blossoms.

In the distance, a large bull dwarfs two cows trying to "climb" a tree.

Visitors view distorted reflections of themselves in the stainless steel bull.

Some of his previous works have been modified to fit the outdoor show, largely to enable interactions with actual plants.

Chen found a broken manhole cover when setting up the show and positioned one of his "red men" to appear as if he's emerging from underground. He placed a garland of flowers around the man's neck to reflect his own success in "seeing another spring" after his arduous battle with cancer.

His 2-meter-high cow sculptures are placed as if they're climbing the trees that froze to death last winter.

"Art becomes art if put in the right place," Chen says.

"Otherwise, it's trash."