Xu Jiang is showing his paintings and sculptures of sunflowers in Shanghai.

"One can learn a lot from tradition-not the appearance of things but what's hidden inside. It's how we Chinese form our own unique taste," Xu says.

Xu says it's not the material and media that decide whether an art-work is Chinese or not. Instead, it should bring out hidden Chinese aesthetics.

Chinese values should be associated with concrete things, such as the tea ceremony or pottery art, he says.

As a delegate of the National People's Congress, Xu also advocates bringing traditional culture into primary schools.

When he first made the proposal 10 years ago, many people criticized him, saying such a measure would burden children. But now his idea has found many supporters.

"I'm glad to see changes in China happen from time to time. Just like the sunflowers I paint, they change under my brush year after year. My sunflowers grow up with every generation," he says.

"I hope you can feel the image of Chinese in my paintings."

If you go

10 am-6 pm, Tuesdays-Sundays, through Feb 28. China Art Museum Shanghai, 205 Shangnan Road, Pudong district, Shanghai. 400-921-9021.