Figure paintings capture country's progress

Prosperous and Peaceful, an exhibition at the China National Academy of Painting until Aug 12, brings together 100 figure paintings by 100 artists from across the country. It is one of a series of exhibition the academy has staged to mark the centennial of the Communist Party of China this year. The show opens up a dialog on the future development of the ink figure paintings.

Wang Yingchun, a veteran ink artist on show, says the style of classical figure paintings has evolved greatly over the past century to closely link with social transformations and national progress; it also reflects the changes in people's mentality and lifestyle.

Tian Liming, another noted painter at the exhibition, says many works on display show concerns with the life and work at grassroots to showcase the situations of the era, the nation and workers.