Five prominent artists from the southwest are presenting an exhibition at the Yibo Gallery that includes the famed "Green Dog" portrait and pop art juxtaposing Marlboros with shopping malls, writes Wang Jie.

Yibo Gallery, opposite the Jin Mao Tower, has bounced back into the spotlight in the art scene after a long period of relative inactivity. Now it is presenting a hot exhibition titled "12345."

The title of the show is literally correct. Five of China''s prominent artists are featured - He Duoling, Zhou Chunya, Guo Wei, Guo Jin and Zhong Biao - all from southwestern China.

But the influences of the five extend far beyond their region in terms of Chinese contemporary art.

He Duoling is one of the most acclaimed artists since China''s "Open Door Policy" in the arts. The chaotic yet highly regimented system during the "cultural revolution"(1966-1976) made art a virtual desert. The stereotyped "Red, Light and Brightness" criteria buried the artist''s creativity and freedom.

Thus, after the "cultural revolution," many artists wanted to see what was outside of China - He was one of them. In the mid 1980s, he traveled to the United States.

"Some of my friends gave up painting," he says. "They felt the limitations would restrict their desire and ability to search for unlimited creativity. But I continued to paint and fared better."

The oil painter also says: "A painting hung on the wall is now regarded as an ancient occupation. But a single man is able to implement it, retaining its silence, and elegance. It doesn''t demand the process of drafting, approval, implementing and promotion. From the very beginning to the end, thank God, it''s just me."

The sentimental romantic person has his own principle: keep a pure individuality, it will save the artist from confusion.

He doesn''t care for those complicated and brilliant color patches, let alone the striking contrast between warm and cold hues. Instead, he reduces contrast, refuses complication. His canvas melts into a kind of purity. He is quite reserved in his brushstrokes and rarely uses a wild and free brush - perhaps that is his aesthetic tastes.

For many, Zhou Chunya''s name is always linked with his "Green Dog" series, perhaps his most famed art pieces, but apparently not his best ones.

Like those involved in the "85 New Wave Movement," Zhou was once a member who was "swallowed" by the trend. But fortunately he obtained an opportunity to go to the West, an opportunity envied by his peers. In 1986, he furthered his study in Germany, an important turn in his life.

Zhou was greatly moved by the work of the New German Expressionism. But during his first year in Germany, he didn''t paint anything. In 1994, Zhou''s friend gave him a collie dog that became his first perfect subject.

"Painting a face is akin to drawing a stone, because I consider the image so intently. But painting my collie just excites me," Zhou says.

Zhong Biao, among the five, obviously belongs to a younger generation. Many say his painting results from a commercial era, though it is hard to define what is art in a commercial period.

Zhong states three conditions for art: "Great art shall have three conditions: accuracy, sincerity and freedom."

The young man has another more interesting thought: "I have only one dream: let the figures under my brushstrokes in their chaotic world witness the people in the future on behalf of me many years later."

This is obviously an attitude that differs from others, since many would hope that their paintings may record their living experience in this world.

Zhong''s interest in borrowing the existing materials is nearly insane. Marlboro cigarettes, a shopping mall and tonics - all in the blink of an eye could be juxtaposed in his visual world.