Ludwika Ogorzelec's space crystallization series has been a theme throughout her career. The concept is to modify space and create a special energy. Photos by Liu Xiaozhuo / China Daily

China continues to be a place of fascination for traveling artists from around the world

A collective of European artists are riding high in the wake of the international business drive into China to broaden their own artistic experiences and expand their creative horizons. All these artists initially arrive for a short stint, but soon vow to make China a regular destination on their artistic journey. Polish artist Ludwika Ogorzelec is one such person.

The 58-year-old began her adventure in China in April and will go back home this month. But she is already thinking of returning to the country that has captured her imagination.

"I may be one of them who are planning to settle down here because I am deeply attracted by this mysterious land and these friendly people," Ogorzelec says. "China is, to me, very mysterious, and I happen to be a curious person."

One of Ogorzelec's major artistic themes is the concept of space, which she expresses through sculpture in her "space crystallization" series. Her sculptured works are made from various materials, which form a system of lines.

Often they appear like giant spider webs and the carefully planned lines intersect with one another in order to "modify the previously determined space" and create a special energy.

"It is a shattering of space into smaller component 'crystals' whose purpose is to achieve a new aesthetic and psychological state that acts on the conscious and the subconscious mind of observer," she says.

Ogorzelec has been carrying out her "space crystallization" works in an artistic community in north Beijing at the foot of the Yan mountains, set up by the Shangyuan Art Museum, which is a residency for artists from all over the world.

It provides free housing and acts as a sanctuary for international artists to live together and create new works.

"I feel true here. I can spend time together with real artists. Here is different from the gallery areas and shows that I used to do my project. The artists here are doing artistic creations and not just earning money," Ogorzelec says.

"I have traveled around the world and done my project in many places, such as Japan and Australia. China is a so strange country for me that I cannot wait to introduce my project to Chinese people."

At Shangyuan, she shares her small house with Shi Xiaojuan, a modern dance artist, who often cooks lunch for the international brethren.