Late ink artist Qi Baishi (1864-1957) rose from humble beginnings as a painter and carpenter in rural Hunan province, to become a celebrated figure in Beijing's art circles. Having experienced firsthand the hardships that artists face, Qi was known for sharing this knowledge with younger artists who came to him for guidance.

This December, the Fine Art Research Exhibition of Qi Baishi and his Shandong Disciples will open at Shandong Art Museum in Jinan, showcasing a blend of artworks and digital installations. The exhibition will explore the influence that Qi's work had in Shandong through his mentorship of several renowned disciples from or connected to the province — Li Kuchan (1899-1983), Wang Xuetao (1903-82), Cui Zifan (1915-2011), and Xu Linlu (1916-2011), who are all artists of repute.