THE 8th Beijing International Art Biennale (BIAB) opened at the National Art Museum of China on Friday, showcasing 640 works by 595 artists from 113 countries.

BIAB, with “A Colorful World and a Shared Future” as its theme, mainly exhibits paintings and sculptures, including 446 pieces by foreign artists and 194 pieces by Chinese artists.

In addition to the main exhibition, it also features six special exhibitions on contemporary art by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries: Belarus, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United States, Spain and South American countries.

The exhibits at this year’s BIAB show the artists’ concern for nature, life and the shared destiny of mankind, Fan Di’an, president of the China Artists Association, said at the opening ceremony of the Biennale. It also demonstrates the spirit of mutual learning shared by the diverse cultures of the world, said Fan.

Parallel international academic symposiums will be held during BIAB, which will last until Sept. 20.

(Xinhua)