The much-anticipated Exhibition of Chinese Painting of the 13th National Exhibition of Fine Arts opened on Sept 26 at the Shandong Art Museum, offering a wonderful opportunity for locals to explore the art of Chinese painting.

Jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Artists Association, the exhibition is displaying 604 masterpieces which represent the first-class level of contemporary Chinese painting.

The exhibition, which runs to Oct 26, is also being held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The exhibits cover a broad range of topics, diverse content and varied expressive techniques, said Shang Hui, a member of the China Artists Association.

"Figures, landscapes, flowers and birds, industrial construction and modern themes are all included," Shang said.

"These works are both contemporary and artistic, from which we can see the characteristics of the times, but also can comprehensively understand the contemporary Chinese painting creative trends and levels," he said.

"The exhibition will become a hit during this year's National Day holiday."

For art creators, the art exhibition has a different meaning. It's something that Zhang Wang, chairman of Shandong Artists Association and director of Shandong Art Museum, knows all about.

At the age of 32, he won a prize in the eighth edition of the exhibition, which further inspired his confidence to create art. Now, a judge of the exhibition, he is very excited to see it being held in Shandong.

The Exhibition of Chinese Painting of the 13th National Exhibition of Fine Arts opens on Sept 26 at the Shandong Art Museum. [Photo/sdam.org.cn]

Visitors appreciate paintings at the exhibition. [Photo/iqilu.com]

Many parents visit the exhibition with their children at the Shandong Art Museum. [Photo/iqilu.com]