Artist Huang Yue, (third from left) and important guests were at the exhibition. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

More often than not, artists paint not just to capture the beauty of what they see, but use shapes and contours as metaphors to express their inner feelings and views of the world. So a flower, through an artist's eyes, is not just a flower. It can be the symbol of femininity, peace, optimism and beauty. Every stroke an artist paints is an expression of culture. When the message that lies behind is too deeply embedded in cultural traditions, audiences from other parts of the world may have difficulties understanding it.

"My paintings use flowers and birds to express a pleasant state of mind and a purified soul. In the pursuit of beauty in nature, I embodied them with the spirits and minds of human being," said Huang.