Best brushstrokes of year of 'great pain, great joy'

The Third AAC (Artron Art of China) 2008 Awards, that brought together celebrities, artists, critics, curators and art journalists, was held last weekend at the Museum of Central Academy of Fine Arts.

The awards honored "the most influential participants in Chinese art" last year, including artists, art publishing houses, art galleries and art museums, according to Gao Minglu, a renowned art historian and chairman of the 18-member jury for the awards.

Among the notable winners are conceptual artist Cai Guoqiang, better known as special visual effects director for the Beijing Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies, deputy dean of the Central Academy of Fine Arts Xu Bing and veteran oil painter Liu Xiaodong.