Art beat: Art

Prized artists

The John Moores Painting Prize China Exhibition 2012 features the winning and short-listed works of artists around the country.

The prize, launched in 1957, is the UK's best-known painting competition. It was established in China in 2010, providing a showcase for painting talents in the country. The works displayed at the exhibition will be part of the John Moores Painting Prize Exhibition at Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool afterward, forming the highlights of the Liverpool Biennial.

10 am-4 pm, until July 20 (closed on Monday). Shanghai Oil Painting and Sculpture Institute, 111 Jinzhulu, Changning district, Shanghai. 021-6275-9930.

Photography in Spain

Spain's most important contemporary art fair, ARCOmadrid, is hosting a photography exhibition in China. It features the changes in Spain over the last 25 years through the lens of renowned Spanish photographers.

10 am-7 pm, July 14-Oct 15. Miguel de Cervantes Library, Cultural Section of the Consulate General of Spain in Shanghai, 198-208 Anfulu. Shanghai. 021-5467-0098.

China Heart, China Dream

The inaugural exhibition is jointly organized by professional painters, medical experts and migrant workers.

It is aimed at raising money for migrant worker Chen Jianhui, who had just received liver transplant surgery. Chen was once a warden at a bicycle-shed. Despite his poor living condition, Chen painted as a hobby.

9 am-6 pm, until July 15, Liu Haisu Art Museum,1660 Hongqiaolu, Changning district, Shanghai. 021-6270-1018.

Exploring urbanity

Architect and designer Cheng Dapeng will present his solo show titled Wonderful Wonderland at the Today Art Museum in Beijing.

On show will be some of his latest designs, sculptures, and interactive installations.

His work touches on contemporary issues such as the negative influences of urbanization.

10 am-5 pm, until July 29. Today Art Museum, 32 Baiziwan Road, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-5876-0600.

China in watercolor

Veteran Beijing artist Li Xiaoke presents a three-part exhibition of China in watercolor.

Veteran Beijing artist Li Xiaoke is holding his latest solo show Hometown in Ink Paintings at National Art Museum of China.

The three-part exhibition presents more than 100 works, depicting Beijing's hutong areas, snowy mountains and Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, and landscapes in Mount Huangshan in Anhui province. Also on display are hundreds of sketches he has done over the years.

"Some of the most picturesque hutong areas in my home city of Beijing are disappearing amid the real estate boom. It is my duty to immortalize them in the form of ink art," Li says.

9 am-5 pm, until July 21. National Art Museum of China, 1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6400-1476.