[Photo provided to China Daily]

Yang Kai, who majored in oil painting at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, is now pursuing a master's degree at the experimental art department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing.

His studies have solidified his technique and enriched his cultural exposure, and he now infuses several styles and approaches in his paintings: graffiti, abstraction, surrealism, manga and the carefree xieyi style of classical Chinese painting.

At his ongoing exhibition titled Passions of Silence, Yang showcases more than 20 oil paintings through which he unveils strong feelings that he hides in real life.

In his works, he paints a lot of skeletons. But they are not associated with death. Instead, they relate to Chinese culture, which sees bones are equating to the spirit and moral integrity.

His works also ask questions about how people indulge in making merry while being empty inside.

The exhibition at Beijing's Today Art Museum runs through Jan 3.