When entering the 1990s, as some other artists surrendered to a commercialized society, creating paintings catering to individual collectors, performance artists were still fighting for independence in artistic creation, which was quite precious and significant, he added.

"While many exhibitions are dedicated to reflecting the history of avant-garde art in the past 30 years, performance art for the most important part, has been forgotten," Leng said. "We hope to look back to the past with a fresh new angle."

Other pieces on display include installation, painting and photography works that are all related to performance art in terms of their visual effects and spirits.

Oil painter Liu Xiaodong and Qiu Zhijie, famous for making installations, are also participating the exhibition.

Liu's painting Sky Burial is one among the highlights of this kind. On the painting a giant hawk is hovering in the air, looking fiercely at a corpse on a mountaintop. Liu created the piece during a tour to Tibet in 2007. A video recording of the scene he witnessed is also being displayed along with the painting.

The exhibition is scheduled to run until October 16.

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