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Pioneering legend

Shanghai and Paris were cities of importance to Pan Yuliang (1895-1977), a pioneering figure of 20thcentury Chinese art, who left behind an oeuvre of paintings and sculptures. In the former, she received systematic training in art and was introduced to modern movements; while in the latter, she continued to be inspired and motivated, and displayed boundless creativity.

From Shanghai to Paris, an exhibition at the World Expo Museum in Shanghai, traces Pan's life and work in the two metropolises, taking visitors back to the time and social circumstances that influenced her life and work. It runs until Nov 10.

Pan was born with a gift for art, but her path to success was not smooth.Orphaned, she was taken in by an uncle, who sold the young teen to a brothel. She was rescued by Pan Zanhua, who married her, recognized her talent and sponsored her study of art.

9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 818 Mengzi Lu, Huangpu district, Shanghai. 021-2313-2818.

Monumental show

A treasure trove of art and culture on the roof of the world, the Potala Palace has defined the skyline of Lhasa in the Xizang autonomous region since the 7th century. The awe-inspiring structure is an embodiment of Tibetan history, society and culture, and reflects exchanges between the region and the rest of China.

Potala Palace, an exhibition at the Tianjin Art Museum until Oct 11,reveals the true face of this architectural marvel in a presentation of 100-odd artifacts from Lhasa. The first part of the exhibition focuses on the Potala Palace's architectural features, which reflect strategies for coping with the harsh conditions of high altitudes.

The second part presents a glimpse of the Potala Palace's extensive collection of thangka paintings, Buddhist statues and other ornaments, and the third part traces the preservation projects and ongoing conservation needed to keep this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site in top condition.

9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 60 Pingjiang Dao, Hexi district, Tianjin. 022-8388-3300.

Unique style

The work of Miguel Angel Payano Jr.is a vivid depiction of his background and experiences in Asia and North America. Born into a Dominican family, he grew up in New York, but for the past two decades, he has been living in Beijing, and speaks fluent Mandarin with a Beijing accent.

His ancestry and the influences of the multiple cultures to which he has been exposed are the motivations behind his "heavy collage" style, in which he piles up layers of pigment to create pieces that blur the boundary between painting and sculpture.

This work is now on show at his exhibition at the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, Woo-Woo, homonyms for the Chinese characters of wu (to understand) and wu (material), signifying his intensified perception of the world and of himself as a result of living in different cultures.The exhibition runs until Sept 8 and also includes work inspired by the way lines are drawn in calligraphy and ink paintings.

10 am-7 pm, closed on Mondays.4 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-5780-0200.

China Daily