A contemporary revival

But many of Hubei's artists moved to such cultural hubs as Beijing and Shanghai in the 1990s, says Wuhan-based artist Yuan Xiaofang, whose works are displayed in the exhibition. This caused the province's art scene to "stay quiet" for a period, he explains.

But the local art community has been undergoing a revival in recent years, largely due to the province's economic development.

"Art galleries and institutions are opening, and not-for-profit exhibitions are being staged to give local artists more exposure," Yuan says.

"And there are shows of works by artists from outside Hubei, which enhances the public's understanding of contemporary art."

Wuhan is known for oil paintings and traditional ink-wash works, but other genres have expanded their foothold in recent years.

"(That's) thanks to the emergence of artists born in the 1970s and '80s, who work with mixed media and adopt much more experimental approaches," Yuan says.

The exhibition's venue itself, the Wanlin Art Museum, exemplifies China's art scene's progress and its influence on a prosperous art market.

It was built in 2015 by Chen Dongsheng, founder of Taikang Insurance Group, which also owns China Guardian Auctions, one of the country's top auctioneers.