The exhibition which displays Wu Liangyong's works.

However, he never gave up his dream of being an artist also. During his studies at university, he also attended classes taught by well-known artists including Xu Beihong, Fu Baoshi and Wu Zuoren. He drew not only because such skills are a requirement for students of architecture, but also because he was passionate about painting.

In 1944, his watercolor Village was displayed at the third national fine art exhibition in Chongqing. He held a solo watercolor exhibition when he pursued a master's degree under the tutorage of architect Eero Saarinen at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in the United States, from 1948 to 1950.

"The exhibition displays Wu's mastery of calligraphy — his calligraphic works are seldom seen in public — and painting, as well as his attainment of traditional Chinese cultures," said Fan Di'an, director of NAMOC.

"Meanwhile, the six designs that propelled him to become a leading architect show how well he blends fine art and architecture. He treats every project as if he was painting a beautiful Chinese painting; he succeeds in applying the essence of composition and aesthetics of Chinese painting to conceive an architectural design."

IF YOU GO

Artistic Concept of Human Settlements

9 am-5 pm, until Sept 9.

1 Wusi Dajie (Street), Dongcheng district, Beijing.