Innovating Tradition: Contemporary Chinese Art

Opens June 1: The seven contemporary Chinese artists in "Innovating" come from the Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, Tianjin University, Tiayuan Normal University and the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Trained in Chinese aesthetics and modern Western art, they attempt to interpret traditional Chinese values in contemporary ways. To Western eyes, their paintings may embody moody themes and abstract gestures, while Chinese viewers may recognize traditional Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist concepts. XiangHong Liu's "Wonderful Clouds 6" is seen here. (9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., June 1-24. Free. Katherine E. Nash Gallery, Regis Center for Art, University of Minnesota, 405 21st Av. S., Mpls.

Mary Abbe