[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Wang Zhongjun’s solo exhibition underway at the Poly Art Museum is exuberant with his long-standing enthusiasm for oil painting. The chairman of Huayi Brothers Media is famous for not only producing movie blockbusters, but also for being a dedicated amateur painter.

His latest paintings on display show an interest in art that can be traced back to his teens. Then he practiced sketching during his years as a military soldier. He later brushed up on painting techniques after work in evening classes.

Wang’s works demonstrate the strong influence of Western artists whose masterpieces at museums are a pleasant study for him when traveling abroad. And he incorporated in his creations childhood memories and experiences of living and working in the US.

Wang is also an avid but low-profile collector. He made headlines last year for purchasing a Vincent van Gogh painting for $61.8 million at a Sotheby’s auction. He decorates his house with artworks from classic paintings to contemporary pieces.

The paintings are on show from April 3-8, and will be sold to raise money for charity. The proceedings will benefit the Huayi Brothers Foundation, kindling poverty-stricken children’s dreams of making movies.