A comparison of a calligraphy piece before (L) and after restoration by Fei Yongming. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Shanghai Library will display the achievements of famed Shanghai restoration expert Fei Yongming and his Yangzhou-style art restoration starting from Sept 15.

The exhibition, titled Amid the Charms of the Natural --- Exhibition on Fei Yongming's Yangzhou Style of Ancient Calligraphy & Painting Restoration Art, will showcase Fei Yongming's picture mounting and restoration techniques, as well as the results of his research into ancient calligraphy, painting and collection. The presentation will also highlight the inheritance process and new progress in Yangzhou-style art restoration.

As an important element of intangible cultural heritage, Yangzhou-style art restoration originated in Yangzhou city during the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and is great for restoring ancient paintings. No matter how tattered the ancient calligraphy or painting may be, it will look brand-new after restoration.

Restoration tools used by Yan Guirong. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Fei Yongming learned the art from Yan Guirong, a master in the 1990s who had restored thousands of relics, including the most precious treasures in Shanghai Museum and famous paintings from the Palace Museum in Beijing.

Fei always remembered Yan's instructions to study hard, as the art of restoration has a long history and profound culture, and to strictly abide by the procedure, never sacrificing workmanship or materials. After Yan died, his wife gave all of his restoration tools to Fei, as an inheritance of the craft. During the exhibition, Yan's restoration tools and restoration works will also go on display.

Along with achievements in Yangzhou-style restoration, the showcase will also include related historical items collected by Fei Yongming, such as paper, brocade, damask silk, jade shafts and picture frames.

During the opening ceremony, Fei will donate five precious calligraphy pieces from his collection to the Shanghai Committee of China National Democratic Construction Association.