A solo exhibition titled Shape of the History by Lin Goucheng is on display at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Valletta.

The artist from Beijing aims to integrate aesthetics and skills of Chinese ink painting into European sketch tradition. He mixes the Western pen and Chinese brush – different instruments that have different strengths.

According to the artist, the strength of the pen lies in drawing fine lines and delicate portrayals, based on the skills and tradition of European copperplate etching and sketching.

On the other hand, he says that the traditional Chinese brush and ink painting techniques attach unique aesthetics to Chinese art – which includes the Chinese idea on life and world. Chinese culture emphasises the integration of everything and continuous reproduction of life, and the coexistence of all life, rejecting the idea of viewing objects in isolation.

Through this exhibition, the artist would like to represent delicate changes in the course of history and the interaction between different cultures.

Part of this exhibition is  co-created with local Maltese participants, transforming  texts, views or personal impressions of contemporary China.

The exhibition is open to the public from tomorrow until July 27. Opening hours: 8.30am to 1pm.