Suzhou tales

An artist group named the Wumen school rose to prominence in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Its four leading painters — Shen Zhou, Wen Zhengming, Tang Yin and Qiu Ying — are collectively referred to as the "four painters of Wumen", whose styles and works had long-standing influence. The school's heritage has been carried on by artists of generations in the modern era. The carefree strokes, light colors and tranquil mood have been employed not only by ink painters but also oil painters.

Suzhou Art Museum presents the city's art landscape in the 20th century at an exhibition, Xiaoyao Shanshui Jian ("Carefree Between Mountains and Waters"). It displays landscape artworks by ink and oil artists hailing from or who are active in Suzhou, a prosperous cultural hub since ancient times. The paintings are half reenactments of real nature scenes that also reveal a utopian land in which the painters reset their minds and hearts. The exhibition runs until Feb 23.

9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 2075 Renmin Lu, Suzhou, Jiangsu province. 0512-6728-0798.