Residents from Shanghai appreciate an oil painting yesterday at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. The painting is part of the "Feel Russia" exhibition that wraps up on March 20. 

Chinese ink-wash paintings will compete for space in the Shanghai Art Museum and Shanghai Museum this year with works by American artists, Spanish masters, including Goya and Titian, and a show of paintings by Rembrandt.

"We will promote some local ink-wash painters who are adding new elements to the ancient art genre," said museum director Li Lei. "It's time for us to give recognition and respect to those who have been ignored for years by the public."

A series of solo shows of ink-wash paintings will include works by Lu Fusheng, Chen Jialing, Yang Zhenxin and Fang Zengxian.

"We have reserved the best exhibition venue for them during the whole year and even part of next year," said Xiao Xiaolan, who runs the museum's academic department. "It will give the city's art lovers a chance to appreciate a variety of their artworks."

A Spanish design show will be held in June as a part of Spanish Year in China.

Another highlight of the year is a show featuring 130 pieces of American art from the 17th century to the beginning of the 21st century, which will kick off in May.

"It is organized by the Solomon Guggenheim Foundation in New York," said museum official Chen Xiejun.

Other exhibitions will include a show of silverware from Sweden, and the work of several Spanish masters, which will open in September. A Rembrandt show featuring works on loan from Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam will open in November.

(Shanghai Daily February 28, 2007)