Well-established artist Wu Weishan has produced nearly 500 sculptures of prominent figures in Chinese history, such as Laozi, Confucius, Li Bai and Qi Baishi, to name a few.

A selection of Wu's works is now on show at Sculpting the Spirit of Chinese Culture, an exhibition at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing until Nov 8. 

Wu, who also heads the National Art Museum of China, gave Russia's ambassador to China Andrey Denisov a tour of the exhibition on Oct 29. 

Wu draws on elements from classical Chinese calligraphy and paintings to render his creations, drawing beauty from simplification.