Lupertz in Beijing for his largest solo show in China. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Artist Zhang Fangbai says it is easy for Chinese artists to sympathize with German neo-expressionists who have looked for their own cultural and artistic identity in a world dominated by US pop culture, as Chinese artists are seeking to redefine a way that belongs to Chinese contemporary art.

Lupertz attributes the influence on Chinese artists to another German neo-expressionist Jorg Immendorff, who died in 2007.

As the director of the Kunstakademie Dusseldorf for more than 20 years, Lupertz says Chinese artists go to Germany with a "painting complex". They prefer paintings because China has a long history of ink art.

Lupertz adds that Chinese artists care much about their tradition and culture, which is also stressed by him.