[Photo provided to China Daily]

He tells of his life in Dali through an ink scroll titled The Album of Flower Planting, which is also displayed at the exhibition.

"My wife and I both agreed not to engage in any social interactions while in Dali. We were just fellow villagers there. We applauded the changes made to make it a better place－but that's all we did."

Ye planted different varieties of plants in his studio in Dali. "They don't grow very well when I care for them, but really flourish when they are left alone."

The studio boasts of a view of Erhai Lake and fields. Ye has to walk down a slope to go out. The daily walk has gradually changed his thinking on how to spend time as an artist.

"When you go down a mountain slope you need to be slow to be stable, and you'd better be empty-handed. From time to time, you should stop to rest.

"I came to realize the way to stay peaceful in the world－to relax and enjoy the view before my eyes."

If you go

10 am-6:30 pm, closed on Mondays, until Feb 7. Asian Art Center, 798 art zone, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-5978-9709.