Art beat: Art

Bookplates reinvented

Have you noticed the small print or decorative label pasted on the inside front cover of a book when you flip through it? A 15th century, European invention, bookplates are now recognized as not only indications of the owner of a book, but also specimens of a bygone era for decorative fashion.

Six talented Guangzhou-based printmaking artists have created bookplates for Guangdong Museum of Art's collection of historical books on Chinese art's development and the museum has put on an exhibition of their works since June 7. These young artists have included their understandings of the books in the bookplates so that visitors can take a glance at China's art history, while appreciating the beauty of the printmaking art.

9 am-5 pm, until Aug 7 (closed on Mondays). Library for Liberal Arts Collections, Guangdong Museum of Art, 38 Yanyu Lu, Ersha Island, Yuexiu district, Guangzhou. 020-8735-1468.

Material metamorphosis

Wang Mai: Dire Straits, an exhibition of the multi-media pioneer's work in Beijing.

Multi-media pioneer Wang Mai's exhibition, Wang Mai: Dire Straits, shows the artist's interest in the usage of materials.

Wang, 40, has transformed the soaring nave of Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) into a spectacular landscape that is part waterway and part forest. His work is an analysis of both a disappearing past and an uncertain future.

The walls of the nave are papered in blue foil wrappers from Zhongnanhai cigarette boxes (a Beijing cigarette brand); its floors are covered in pieces of corrugated blue metal cut directly from the roof of Wang's own nearby studio. Wang's creation is also inspired by the Hezhe people - a nomadic ethnic group from his native Heilongjiang province. The ethnic group is famous for crafting clothes from fish skin.

The artist will give a talk on his works on July 28 at UCCA Auditorium, in Chinese with English translation.

Until Aug 30. UCCA, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-5780-0251.

Jilin scenery

Young artist Song Bin from Jilin province is holding a solo show at Wu Dongkui Art Museum in Beijing.

Sponsored by Red Capital Group, Art Celebrity Magazine and the museum, the exhibition presents some 30 ink paintings Song has created over the year. Highlights are his ink representation of Wuhua Mountain and wintry cityscapes in his home province, as well as his vivid depiction of wild geese and swans.

10 am-5 pm, until July 31. Wu Dongkui Art Museum, 1 Donghuashi Dajie, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-5100-5500.

Guilin in paper

Since the 1980s, the breathtaking scenery in Guilin in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region has been an inspiration for landscape artists. Many of the works of artists during that period have been on display at the Guilin Museum.

Now, residents of Guangdong can appreciate the collections at Guangdong Museum of Art until Aug 1. The exhibits fall into four categories including traditional Chinese painting, oil painting, watercolor and print - an interesting experience to see artists depict the beauty of Guilin in diverse styles.

9 am-5 pm, until Aug 1 (closed on Mondays). Hall 6, 8 and 9, Guangdong Museum of Art, 38 Yanyu Lu, Ersha Island, Yuexiu district, Guangzhou. 020-8735-146.

Creative sculpture

Guangdong Museum of Art displays 37 works by artist Pan He.

Some artists tend to spend days on refining a sculpture, while Pan He, a Chinese sculptor, is able to quickly mold and cut the clay into a vivid portrait of a person.

Guangdong Museum of Art is displaying 37 Pan's creations, which he completed in 2006 while he was ill. Pan made the sculptures for families and friends who visited him at the hospital.

The sculptor captured the features of people from 28 professions including a policeman, worker, doctor, nurse and dancer.

Many of the pieces are on exhibit for the first time. From the sculptures, visitors will get to share Pan's passion for art and life.

9 am-5 pm, until Aug 1 (closed on Mondays). Hall 7, Guangdong Museum of Art, 38 Yanyu Lu, Ersha Island, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong. 020-8735-146.