An exhibition of art created by young deaf people opened Thursday in central China's Hunan province, marking the largest exhibition of its kind to take place in the country.

About 30 deaf artists have contributed around 200 works of art, including paintings, calligraphy, carvings, photographs and handicrafts, to be displayed at the exhibition, which will run from May 17 to 20 in the provincial capital of Changsha.

The exhibition, with the theme of "self-support and self-assurance," was initiated by Yang Daixi, a painter from Hunan University who has spent the last decade teaching deaf people how to paint.

"Every family with a deaf child must have difficulties, but they must also have a lot of moving stories. After teaching them painting, I discovered their eagerness," Yang said at the exhibition's opening ceremony.

Yang said the purpose of the exhibition is to support and encourage deaf artists, adding that he hopes more people can come to know and understand deaf artists and acknowledge their creativity through the exhibition.

Exhibition organizers said 30 of the pieces on display will be auctioned off on May 26, with the proceeds to be used to boost art programs for handicapped people.

The exhibition is sponsored by the Hunan Daily Press Group, Federation of Industry & Commerce of Hunan and the Hunan Provincial Museum.