Ancient shadow puppets. [Photo provided to China Daily]

On display are installations such as one that shows a snake casting off its skin and two chicken monsters battling with a snake.

The small figures and shapes Wu used as a collage to present his works are all made of cow skin. One work alone has about 180 kinds of shapes.

"The obligation of Chinese artists is to propagate Chinese culture in an artistic form," Wu says.

Sun Jianjun, an expert on national intangible culture, says the show is an interesting experiment in combining heritage and contemporary art.

If you go

8 am-5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday, through Sept 9, no Mondays. The Prince Kung's Palace Museum, 17, West Qianhai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing. 010-83288149