"Although there was not a huge gap between the urban and rural areas, still I could feel an unutterable sense of superiority displayed by urbanites. And I felt weak and unconfident for being from the countryside."

It was not until Liu was enrolled in a university and studied painting in 1981 that he and his family began to feel respected.

Liu says he designed not only because he became interested in it at university, but also out of a strong wish to improve the living environment that was due to the humble condition of his family.

He says, however, it is in painting that he can return to his roots as a boy who loved painting for the sake of it.

If you go

Noon-6 pm, through Jan 15. 6 Tuanjiehu Road, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-6502-5171.