Circles of excellence

On a lotus throne, Buddha sits cross-legged in a gesture called jie jia die zuo. With his eyes half-opened and palms together, his detached expression and smile casts his benevolence toward the human world. Buddha's pink robe is made of silk and shines mildly under the light. The flowing lines of his sleeves and trousers create a sense of grace. Behind the Buddha are patterns of clouds, lotus flowers and birds, creating a strong three-dimensional effect. This 1985 cloth painting by Teng Teng from Hebei province is among 350 industrial handicraft works now on show at the National Art Museum of China until Feb 10. The Grand Exhibition of China Artistic Handicrafts is being held by the museum to usher in the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China and the upcoming Spring Festival.

Decorated in a traditional Chinese festival style and dominated by the color red, the nine exhibition halls on the first floor of the museum certainly create an auspicious and harmonious atmosphere. Red scrolls pasted on both sides of the entrance lead visitors into the hall. Huge lanterns hang down from the ceiling of the lobby and the exhibition hall walls are painted red exuding a warm inside.

The exhibits include jadeware, embroidery, ceramics, lacquerware, fabric works, metal works, folk handicrafts, as well as sculptures made of wood, ivory, bronze and stone. Masters of the 1950-70s, accomplished artists of the 1980-90s and a new generation of artists are all displayed.