Art beat in May

Graduates make a mark

A large-scale show of 2014 graduates from the Central Academy of Fine Arts will see versatile forms of art collide with innovative ideas. On display are more than 300 installations, Chinese paintings and calligraphy, oil paintings, architectural works and designs. There are some useful designs such as chill-proof watches for scientists working in the Antarctic region or innovations including a cylinder made up of car parts.

9:30 am-5:30 pm, closed on Mondays, until May 18. Art Museum of Central Academy of Fine Arts, 8 Huajiadi Nanjie, Chaoyang district. 010-6477-1575.

Retrospective of Taiwan artist

Bright Sun of the South is a retrospective exhibition that reflects upon the art of Chiayi-born artist Chen Chengpo (1895-1947), whose prodigious output in the 1930s made him one of the most recognizable Chinese artists from the first half of the 20th century. The display of 135 oil paintings, watercolors and drawings donated by the artist's family and collectors demonstrates Chen's distinctive style. His bold brushwork and dynamic color scheme show influences of Fauvism, Cubism and Expressionism, while the subjects and motifs in his works express his attachment to his homeland. Chen graduated from Tokyo Fine Art School, now Tokyo University of the Arts. He later taught at several art schools in Shanghai and traveled extensively to paint. After moving back to Taiwan in the 1930s, he became a leading light in the art and education movement.

9 am-5 pm, until May 20. National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Dajie (Street), Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6400-1476.

Show for prize winners

The John Moores Painting Prize is a biannual award to the best contemporary painting, named after its founder, who established the award in 1957. The prize has been bestowed in China for three editions. This year the prize attracted more than 3,000 submissions from all over China, and 70 were shortlisted. A special exhibition at the Himalayas Art Museum features the winners and shortlisted pieces. Lewis Biggs, chairman of the jury, said that the proportion of "conceptual" paintings is larger than previously. These paintings address neither the craft nor the content of the painting, but "what is painting or art in contemporary society".

10 am-6 pm, Tue-Sun, until May 20. 3-4F, Shanghai Himalayas Museum, 869, Yinghua Lu (Road), Pudong New Area, Shanghai. 021-5033-9801.

Ink artist Dang Zhen's solo exhibition provides viewers with alternative perspectives to understand the world, just as Double Vision suggests. The display of 60-odd paintings includes portraits and landscapes. His portraits tend to explore human beliefs, lust and depression while his landscapes are expressionistic shows of diversity in ink.

10 am-6 pm, until May 20. Today Art Museum, 32 Baiziwan Road, Chaoyang district. 010-5876-0600 Ext 100.

Colorado jazz band to perform in Beijing

The University of Northern Colorado has five big bands, known as Lab Bands, which have a long history of being among the best college jazz ensembles in the United States. One of them, UNC Jazz Lab Band I, will make its debut in Beijing, performing jazz works from musicians such as Christian McBride and Bob Brookmeyer. They will also adapt a classical Chinese folk song, A Lovely Rose, into a jazz piece.

7:30 pm, May 22. Forbidden City Concert Hall inside Zhongshan Park, west of Tian'anmen Square, Xicheng district, Beijing.

010-6585-5755.

- Chen Nan