Chinese artists paint in westerly ways

Western painting techniques have evolved in medium from tempera to oil and acrylic, on wood and on canvas, to bear rich presentations.

The Discourse of Matter exhibition pays homage to Chinese artists' collective endeavors in oil art since it was introduced to the country centuries ago, showing how contemporary domestic artists have explored the language of Western painting. The exhibition is ongoing at the National Art Museum of China until Feb 1.

While layering pigments, sometimes mixed with other mediums, they also integrate Eastern aesthetics accumulated over time, grounded on the wisdom of gewu zhizhi, or the extension of knowledge through the investigation of things.

The exhibition unveils a vivid scene gathering veteran oil artists like Jin Shangyi, and rising stars, including Ju Ting and Jiang Miao.