Wang Shuibo has a solo exhibition at Beijing's 798 art zone, called Zen & Revolution.

The exhibition combines two sections - paintings and films - and starts a three-week run next Saturday.

When he was young Wang went to learn from a neighbor, an experienced ink painter who was fond of drinking. Apart from learning the art of patience and how to paint with ink, he would also sneak a look at the old man's collection of ancient calligraphy and paintings. At that time he was fascinated with Fan Kuan, Ma Yuan and Ni Yunlin.

He would first mount a silk base on a wooden board. Then he would use ink for the design and oil colors on top. His Temple series of paintings from 20 years ago was created in this way, with a quiet, solitary state of mind.

"For as long as I can remember, 'revolution' has been the word most important to me," says Wang, who was born in early 1960s.

"To become a revolutionary artist was my childhood dream, and this dream has continued to affect me to this day. My films Sunrise Over Tian'anmen Square and They Chose China both have connections with revolution."

The art of Zen is introspective and attempts an escape from reality. But the art of revolution is passionate and participates in reality. "Both of them are in my blood," Wang says.

Wang graduated from the China Central Academy of Fine Arts, majored in animation. He moved to Canada in the early 1990s. He is a Guggenheim Fellow and Oscar-nominated filmmaker.

Nov 22-Dec 14

Loft3 Gallery B03 Building No 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang district

8459-9652

(China Daily November 14, 2008)