Art prices are falling and many studios, galleries and private museums face uncertain times because of the financial crisis. But Min Li is optimistic about her exhibition, The Warm Sunlight in Winter, which showcases more than 100 modern oil paintings by Russian artists.

"Russian oil painting has a long tradition and has influenced many Chinese artists among whom some are teaching at the Central Academy of Fine Arts," says Min, who has been running the Jing Yi Yuan Russian Oil Painting Gallery in Beijing for eight years.

Min, who studied oil painting in Russia, brought her professors' works to Beijing when she first started her gallery.

"I realized that there are many people who like Russian artworks thanks to historical reasons," she says.

"Now China is opening its art door to the world. It is also important to bring in foreign art works and absorb more knowledge."

This time, she brings works from old and new generations of Russian artists, including Mikhail G. Abakumov, vice-president of Russian Academy of ArtsEduard Drobitskiy and new rising star Sergei Kuzin.

Min has five galleries in Beijing, and has more than 700 oil paintings from different eras on display.

"Russian art has undergone an exciting renaissance that has produced a new generation of painters while maintaining traditions," Min says.

B1, Ju Ran Building Material& Furniture Market. 65 North 4th Ring East Road, 64971436

(China Daily January 4, 2009)