（Photo/provided to China Daily)
Celebrated as a best-selling writer, TV anchor, journalist, lecturer, educator and philanthropist, Liu Yung's multiple talents mean he is less mentioned as a professional artist.
However, an ongoing painting exhibition by the 66-year-old artist has allowed audiences on the Chinese mainland to get a closeup view of Liu's artistic attainments for the first time.
The solo exhibition of works by Liu, who was born in Taiwan and is now a US citizen, is being held at the Art Museum of Beijing Art Academy from May 14 to 26.
The exhibition, called Dreams of Natural Tranquility, displays nearly 60 of Liu's works. It is being held jointly by the Institute of Fine Arts under the Chinese National Academy of Arts and the Art Museum of Beijing Art Academy.
It is the first solo exhibition of Liu's paintings on the Chinese mainland, where he has been better known as a writer for many years.
As a best-selling author, Liu visits the mainland often to give lectures, paint natural settings, and attend book-signing events. A dedicated philanthropist, he has funded the construction of 40 primary schools with the Hope charitable project.
He has maintained multiple facets even in the field of painting, where his wide range of genres includes portraits, landscapes, and flowers and birds in a traditional Chinese style.
Liu graduated from the National Taiwan Normal University majoring in art in 1972. He received strict professional training and his works won a number of awards in exhibitions while he was still a student.
He studied with Huang Junbi, a wellknown artist of traditional Chinese ink painting, and gained deep understanding of the traditional style. However, he leaped the traditional barriers and formed his own artistic style.
