LEADIN:

China's art scene is undergoing a major shift as the country's economic rise fuels an increase in collectors and investors.

The Beijing Art Expo, which is now underway, is helping to create a buzz by showcasing the talent and trends of artists worldwide, but at a cost.

STORYLINE:

At this exhibition, art is beyond boundaries and materials.

Among the various stands and booths here are traditional Chinese paintings alongside international and more contemporary works.

There are also pieces from artists in Russia and North Korea.  

While no North Korean artists were able to attend the expo to promote their paintings, one gallery curator at the event, Zhang Dandan says their works are worth investing in.

"North Korean paintings are enjoying prosperity now. As culture exchange between China and North Korea is increasing, North Korean oil paintings can expect a market growth. The market is not truly opened yet, but when it is, prices will go up on a great scale. It's a very good timing now for collectors and art lovers to collect North Korean paintings," she says.

Curators say because of China's economic rise, more and more Chinese are becoming interested in art and attending exhibitions like this.

Lai Zhigang is a painter who is famous for his traditional Chinese paintings. His stand is dominated by his work 'Xiahe Symphony' which highlights his use of black and white.

"Black and white are from Taoist culture, Laozi culture. Black and white are the epitome of Taoist culture. Chinese culture and philosophy emphasizes simplicity, using the simplest things to describe the most complex things in the universe. It's a challenge, a result of philosophical perceptions, and innovation of inheriting culture," he says.

However, Mr Lai believes China's art scene has not developed as quickly as its economy.

"Chinese art is actually regressing. There has been a huge retrogression during the past 30 years. There have not been new excellent works, but only some signs of the accumulation of previous good artworks. Perhaps it has something to do with politics in China. Art can't be separated from politics," he says.

The art works range from paintings to sculptures, like this installation of concrete lamps by Zhang Baogui.

Different colours, textures and materials are on display, including the eye catching gold paintings of artist Kim II Tae.  

Richie Chai, who represents the painter, explains why he specializes in gold: "Chinese people themselves love collecting gold. We spend money on either real estate or gold. As the combination of art and gold, it (gold painting) is worth collecting. So I believe Chinese art lovers will like it."

"Gold is universally acknowledged as eternal. It doesn't change in appearance, nor will its color fade away. He (Kim Il Tae) wants to make something that people can forever cherish, something that won't change and is different from other artworks. So he chooses gold," he adds.

While the gold paintings draw much attention, there are few people willing to pay upwards of one million RMB (US$146,000) for the cheapest item.

More foreign artists are waking up to China as a growing market for their art.

Ana Moreno is an artist from Venezuela and the director of Art Center Miami in the United States. She explains the philosophy behinds her paintings which concentrate on fish.

"For me, life should always be Zen. Everything that has to happen the way it is, without forcing it. And I believe, in my fish you can see it clearly. It's like, whatever has to happen will happen. And we just have to let it be. And I try to express that in the paintings as well. "

The owner of Art Center Miami, Connie Suarez says she wanted to be part of the exhibition because the similarities between Chinese and Latin American culture.

"Latin American culture is very similar to Asian culture, and Miami is located as a bridge to a very big population of Latin Americans there. And we find our culture very similar to culture in China," she says.

The Beijing Art Expo runs from 30 August until 2 September 2018.

Organisers are expecting around 20,000 people to attend over the four days.

Beijing, China – 30 August 2018

1. Close of 'On the Day of Mass Gymnastics' by Kim Ryong Il (2018)

2. Mid of 'Beauty in Front of The Longevity Painting' by Hong Mi (2017)

3. Mid of a visitor looking at North Korean paintings

4. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Zhang Dandan, curator of 985 Gallery of Harbin International Oil Paintings Trading Center:

"North Korean paintings are enjoying prosperity now. As the culture exchange between China and North Korea is increasing, North Korean oil paintings can expect a market growth. The market is not truly opened yet, but when it is, prices will go up on a great scale. It's a very good timing now for collectors and art lovers to collect North Korean paintings. "

5. Various of the art expo

6. Mid of an artist doing calligraphy

7. Various of the art booth of Chinese landscape painter Lai Zhigang

8. Close of painting 'Kong Shanxinyuhou' (2014) with reflection

9. Mid of Lai Zhigang talking with a visitor

10. Pan of 'Xiahe Symphony' by Lai Zhigang (2010)

11. Various of Lai Zhigang's art booth

12. Various of a visitor looking at Lai's paintings

13. Tilt-down of 'Xiahe Symphony' by Lai Zhigang (2010)

14. Various of visitor taking photo with Lai

15. Close of Lai and a visitor on a photo

16. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Lai Zhigang, Chinese landscape painter:

"Black and white are from Taoist culture, Laozi culture. Black and white are the epitome of Taoist culture. Chinese culture and philosophy emphasizes simplicity, using the simplest things to describe the most complex things in the universe. It's a challenge, a result of philosophical perceptions, and innovation of inheriting culture."

17. Various of Lai Zhigang's paintings

18. Wide of exhibition and Lai's poster

19. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Lai Zhigang, Chinese landscape painter:

"Chinese art is actually regressing. There has been a huge retrogression during the past 30 years. There have not been new excellent works, but only some signs of the accumulation of previous good artworks. Perhaps it has something to do with politics in China. Art can't be separated from politics."

20. Mid of visitors at the expo

21. Close of a painting 'Panda'

22. Installations

23. Various of the Concrete Lamp installation by Zhang Baogui (2018)

24. Mid of the art expo ++MUTE++

25. 'Bus Station' by Ri Song Chol (2018)

26. Pan to the stand of South Korean artist Kim Il Tae

27. Mid of stand of South Korean artist Kim Il Tae

28. Gold paintings by South Korean artist Kim Il Tae

29. Tilt-up of 'Eternity' by Kim Il Tae (2013)

30. Various of a visitor with Richie Chai, Director of Aureo Group (Greater China)

31. Close of Chai's hands

32. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Richie Chai, Director of Aureo Group (Greater China):

"Why? Because Chinese people themselves love collecting gold. We spend money on either real estate or gold. As the combination of art and gold, it (gold painting) is worth collecting. So I believe Chinese art lovers will like it."

33. Various of details of Kim Il Tae's paintings

34. Mid of Kim's paintings

35. Close of 'Auspicious Spiritual Beast' by Kim Il Tae (2017)

36. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Richie Chai, Director of Aureo Group (Greater China):

"Gold is universally acknowledged as eternal. It doesn't change in appearance, nor will its color fade away. He (Kim Il Tae) wants to make something that people can forever cherish, something that won't change and is different from other artworks. So he chooses gold."

37. Various of expo, visitors and art

38. Mid of two paintings showing ballerinas, 'Passion and Power', Si QIuli (date unknown)

39. Various of visitors with Ana Moreno, Director of Art Center Miami

40. Tilt-up of 'Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno (date unknown)

41. SOUNDBITE (English) Ana Moreno, Director of Art Center Miami:

"For me, life should always be Zen. Everything that has to happen the way it is, without forcing it. And I believe, in my fish you can see it clearly. It's like, whatever has to happen will happen. And we just have to let it be. And I try to express that in the paintings as well. "

42. Various of 'Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno (date unknown)

43. SOUNDBITE (English) Ana Moreno, Director of Art Center Miami:

"Well for me, life, the circle of life in Zen, it's a big circle that starts and ends in only one stroke. I have one of the paintings you might see after, the whole fish will make a turn and with the tail finishing the circle of life. "

44. Various of 'Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno (date unknown)

45. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Connie Suarez, Owner of Art Center Miami:

"Latin American culture is very similar to Asian culture, and Miami is located as a bridge to a very big population of Latin Americans there. And we find our culture very similar to culture in China."

46. Tilt-down of 'Gold Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno

47. Mid of Ana Moreno talking with Chinese visitors

LEADIN:

China's art scene is undergoing a major shift as the country's economic rise fuels an increase in collectors and investors.

The Beijing Art Expo, which is now underway, is helping to create a buzz by showcasing the talent and trends of artists worldwide, but at a cost.

STORYLINE:

At this exhibition, art is beyond boundaries and materials.

Among the various stands and booths here are traditional Chinese paintings alongside international and more contemporary works.

There are also pieces from artists in Russia and North Korea.  

While no North Korean artists were able to attend the expo to promote their paintings, one gallery curator at the event, Zhang Dandan says their works are worth investing in.

"North Korean paintings are enjoying prosperity now. As culture exchange between China and North Korea is increasing, North Korean oil paintings can expect a market growth. The market is not truly opened yet, but when it is, prices will go up on a great scale. It's a very good timing now for collectors and art lovers to collect North Korean paintings," she says.

Curators say because of China's economic rise, more and more Chinese are becoming interested in art and attending exhibitions like this.

Lai Zhigang is a painter who is famous for his traditional Chinese paintings. His stand is dominated by his work 'Xiahe Symphony' which highlights his use of black and white.

"Black and white are from Taoist culture, Laozi culture. Black and white are the epitome of Taoist culture. Chinese culture and philosophy emphasizes simplicity, using the simplest things to describe the most complex things in the universe. It's a challenge, a result of philosophical perceptions, and innovation of inheriting culture," he says.

However, Mr Lai believes China's art scene has not developed as quickly as its economy.

"Chinese art is actually regressing. There has been a huge retrogression during the past 30 years. There have not been new excellent works, but only some signs of the accumulation of previous good artworks. Perhaps it has something to do with politics in China. Art can't be separated from politics," he says.

The art works range from paintings to sculptures, like this installation of concrete lamps by Zhang Baogui.

Different colours, textures and materials are on display, including the eye catching gold paintings of artist Kim II Tae.  

Richie Chai, who represents the painter, explains why he specializes in gold: "Chinese people themselves love collecting gold. We spend money on either real estate or gold. As the combination of art and gold, it (gold painting) is worth collecting. So I believe Chinese art lovers will like it."

"Gold is universally acknowledged as eternal. It doesn't change in appearance, nor will its color fade away. He (Kim Il Tae) wants to make something that people can forever cherish, something that won't change and is different from other artworks. So he chooses gold," he adds.

While the gold paintings draw much attention, there are few people willing to pay upwards of one million RMB (US$146,000) for the cheapest item.

More foreign artists are waking up to China as a growing market for their art.

Ana Moreno is an artist from Venezuela and the director of Art Center Miami in the United States. She explains the philosophy behinds her paintings which concentrate on fish.

"For me, life should always be Zen. Everything that has to happen the way it is, without forcing it. And I believe, in my fish you can see it clearly. It's like, whatever has to happen will happen. And we just have to let it be. And I try to express that in the paintings as well. "

The owner of Art Center Miami, Connie Suarez says she wanted to be part of the exhibition because the similarities between Chinese and Latin American culture.

"Latin American culture is very similar to Asian culture, and Miami is located as a bridge to a very big population of Latin Americans there. And we find our culture very similar to culture in China," she says.

The Beijing Art Expo runs from 30 August until 2 September 2018.

Organisers are expecting around 20,000 people to attend over the four days.

Beijing, China – 30 August 2018

1. Close of 'On the Day of Mass Gymnastics' by Kim Ryong Il (2018)

2. Mid of 'Beauty in Front of The Longevity Painting' by Hong Mi (2017)

3. Mid of a visitor looking at North Korean paintings

4. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Zhang Dandan, curator of 985 Gallery of Harbin International Oil Paintings Trading Center:

"North Korean paintings are enjoying prosperity now. As the culture exchange between China and North Korea is increasing, North Korean oil paintings can expect a market growth. The market is not truly opened yet, but when it is, prices will go up on a great scale. It's a very good timing now for collectors and art lovers to collect North Korean paintings. "

5. Various of the art expo

6. Mid of an artist doing calligraphy

7. Various of the art booth of Chinese landscape painter Lai Zhigang

8. Close of painting 'Kong Shanxinyuhou' (2014) with reflection

9. Mid of Lai Zhigang talking with a visitor

10. Pan of 'Xiahe Symphony' by Lai Zhigang (2010)

11. Various of Lai Zhigang's art booth

12. Various of a visitor looking at Lai's paintings

13. Tilt-down of 'Xiahe Symphony' by Lai Zhigang (2010)

14. Various of visitor taking photo with Lai

15. Close of Lai and a visitor on a photo

16. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Lai Zhigang, Chinese landscape painter:

"Black and white are from Taoist culture, Laozi culture. Black and white are the epitome of Taoist culture. Chinese culture and philosophy emphasizes simplicity, using the simplest things to describe the most complex things in the universe. It's a challenge, a result of philosophical perceptions, and innovation of inheriting culture."

17. Various of Lai Zhigang's paintings

18. Wide of exhibition and Lai's poster

19. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Lai Zhigang, Chinese landscape painter:

"Chinese art is actually regressing. There has been a huge retrogression during the past 30 years. There have not been new excellent works, but only some signs of the accumulation of previous good artworks. Perhaps it has something to do with politics in China. Art can't be separated from politics."

20. Mid of visitors at the expo

21. Close of a painting 'Panda'

22. Installations

23. Various of the Concrete Lamp installation by Zhang Baogui (2018)

24. Mid of the art expo ++MUTE++

25. 'Bus Station' by Ri Song Chol (2018)

26. Pan to the stand of South Korean artist Kim Il Tae

27. Mid of stand of South Korean artist Kim Il Tae

28. Gold paintings by South Korean artist Kim Il Tae

29. Tilt-up of 'Eternity' by Kim Il Tae (2013)

30. Various of a visitor with Richie Chai, Director of Aureo Group (Greater China)

31. Close of Chai's hands

32. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Richie Chai, Director of Aureo Group (Greater China):

"Why? Because Chinese people themselves love collecting gold. We spend money on either real estate or gold. As the combination of art and gold, it (gold painting) is worth collecting. So I believe Chinese art lovers will like it."

33. Various of details of Kim Il Tae's paintings

34. Mid of Kim's paintings

35. Close of 'Auspicious Spiritual Beast' by Kim Il Tae (2017)

36. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Richie Chai, Director of Aureo Group (Greater China):

"Gold is universally acknowledged as eternal. It doesn't change in appearance, nor will its color fade away. He (Kim Il Tae) wants to make something that people can forever cherish, something that won't change and is different from other artworks. So he chooses gold."

37. Various of expo, visitors and art

38. Mid of two paintings showing ballerinas, 'Passion and Power', Si QIuli (date unknown)

39. Various of visitors with Ana Moreno, Director of Art Center Miami

40. Tilt-up of 'Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno (date unknown)

41. SOUNDBITE (English) Ana Moreno, Director of Art Center Miami:

"For me, life should always be Zen. Everything that has to happen the way it is, without forcing it. And I believe, in my fish you can see it clearly. It's like, whatever has to happen will happen. And we just have to let it be. And I try to express that in the paintings as well. "

42. Various of 'Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno (date unknown)

43. SOUNDBITE (English) Ana Moreno, Director of Art Center Miami:

"Well for me, life, the circle of life in Zen, it's a big circle that starts and ends in only one stroke. I have one of the paintings you might see after, the whole fish will make a turn and with the tail finishing the circle of life. "

44. Various of 'Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno (date unknown)

45. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Connie Suarez, Owner of Art Center Miami:

"Latin American culture is very similar to Asian culture, and Miami is located as a bridge to a very big population of Latin Americans there. And we find our culture very similar to culture in China."

46. Tilt-down of 'Gold Fish Ponds' by Ana Moreno

47. Mid of Ana Moreno talking with Chinese visitors