A century of art education unfolds in Tianjin

Tianjin is more than a relaxed "back garden" to its metropolitan neighboring city of Beijing. Since the beginning of the 20th century, it has also been a hub for artists, collectors and other influential cultural figures.

Chinese Painting in Tianjin for a Century, an ongoing exhibition at Tianjin Art Museum, charts the city's artistic transformation through the lens of those who have taught and studied at the city's art school, Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, whose history traces back to 1906.

Qiu Zhijie, the academy's dean, says the exhibition traces the century-long evolution of how Chinese painting is taught, highlighting an approach where the wisdom of traditional brushwork coexists with modern technology.

Running until April 10, the exhibition is the first stop of a six-city touring program that will also travel to other destinations.