1. Calligraphy
The Chinese script was developed out of pictures and symbols. Chinese calligraphy uses paper, brush (pen) and ink, and its styles are diversified. Each dynasty in the Chinese history was marked with distinct calligraphers and their styles -- from ancient inscriptions on bronzeware to official script, print script, tablet inscriptions, and running hand.

Wu Changsuo, a great calligrapher in modern times, created a style of his own out of rubbings of tablet inscriptions. His brushes are sturdy, fluent and well-balanced. His paintings also bear semblance to inscriptions.

Because of the evolution of the writing instrument, few people today use brushes. However, calligraphy as an art lives on, as everybody wants to write beautifully.

Fans of calligraphy have formed associations at various levels. Chinese calligraphers maintain close ties with their counterparts in Japan and Korea. Chinese calligraphy also makes good souvenirs for Western tourists.

2. Paintings
Painting in China dates back to the New Stone Age. Pictures appeared during those times on pottery. In fact, the Chinese script evolved out of pictures. Because of this common origin, painting and calligraphy in Chinese art often go hand in hand. A calligrapher is most likely also a painter and vice versa. A painting is complemented with a hand-written poem and an explanatory note.

Traditional Chinese paintings feature natural landscape, flowers, birds and, of course, human figures. Often, artists would specialize in one subject only. Zheng Banqiao, for example, was an artist in the 18th century who made a reputation out of bamboo, orchid and rocks. His scrupulous observations of those objects and creative representations have made him the envy of many others.

Others specialize in beauties, cats, donkeys, horses, or even shrimp. Anything can be the subject and it all depends on the interpretations of the viewer.

The China Art Gallery and other galleries feature art shows all year round. Many artists have also held exhibitions and been collected in North America, Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia. They also maintain close relations with their counterparts in Taiwan as part of the cross-straits exchanges aimed at promoting mutual understanding.