Han Meilin's works show deep influence of cultural traditions

An ink painting of a rooster and a teapot are among the creations by Han Meilin on show at Beijing's National Museum of China. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Meanwhile, another exhibition at the Venice International University in Italy through Feb 28 also displays his works that incorporate folk elements and ancient epigraphs.

A third and last exhibition will be open at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Paris this year. Han was designated as a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2015 for his devotion to promoting art and providing artistic education to youth.

However, despite all the accolades, Han now prefers to refer to himself as "a successor of the Shaanbei grannies".

Shaanbei is the northern portion of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, where rich folk art, such as paper-cutting and clay modeling, are dying traditions mainly preserved by the elder generation.

Han's aim now is to save these endangered traditions, not only in Shaanbei but also other parts of China.

Han says that when he travels with his team, they are not common tourists or celebrities.