Lin and Ye Lang, honorary dean of the School of Arts at Peking University.

Wu gives high praise to Lin's art. "From every single work of his we can interpret his resolute criticism toward injustice, his deep compassion for the lower social classes," he said.

"The partnership between Peking University and Lin is based on such humanitarianism."

Lin is also one of three overseas curators for the sixth Beijing International Art Biennale next year.

Responsible for the Southeast Asia sector of the event, he said he will focus on the Nanyang painting school, of which he is a representative.

Born in 1945 in southern Guangdong province, Lin left China at 11 and studied painting at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore from 1965 to 1968.

He went to Paris in 1971 to continue studying world art.

Lin developed his own artistic style after immersing himself in various masterpieces from the West and East.

zhangzhao@chinadaily.com.cn