An item on display.  [Photo/China Daily]

His works of the 1980s show a marked shift in his practice: He became interested in Greek myths and he began making sculptures. In 1988, he was appointed the dean of Dusseldorf Academy of Fine Arts, which has produced many internationally notable artists. He stayed in that position until 2009, during which time he continued his experiments with painting.

The latest Arcadia series of paintings on show is one of his prolific endeavors after leaving the academy in the German city of Dusseldorf. Unlike his earlier works, they feature a moderate palette to demonstrate his philosophical thoughts on reality and mournful resonance with the past of human society.