Voyagers by Spaniard Rafael Bestard Mas.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"Countries live with historical pasts based on which their artists aspire to create and dream."

She says participating artists share concerns of societies around the globe, such as the widening gap between cities and the countryside or strains in relationships among people.

"Foreign artists have innovated their approaches to continue the modernization of oil painting and sculpture. Their boldness, I believe, will enlighten Chinese artists.

"Their attendance at the biennale will also help them get a bigger picture of what is happening in China's art circles," Tao adds.

Beijing International Art Biennale takes pride in not being a commercial art fair. All pieces are returned to their creators after the show ends. But many have donated their artworks to the organizing artists' body, totally 313 so far.