As the second largest economy in the world, China is on the fast train to unparallel modernization and development. As a result, the country's art scene is also growing increasingly visible. A special exhibition by the China National Academy of Art has just opened at Beijing's National Art Museum of China. Through both traditional and modern mediums,  roughly 120 artists are giving us their persective of China and its people today.

Entitled "Image of People, Chinese Spirits", the exhibition has gathered some of the most recognizable artists of China's booming art scene.

From traditional Chinese ink painting and seal cuttings, to oil paintings and abstract sculptures and installations, visitors can expect a wide range of art forms. 

"The exhibition is aimed to implement the spirit of President Xi Jinping's Speech at China's Forum on Literature and Art, that art should reflect people's images and the Chinese spirit. China's artists are ambassadors of the spirit, values, and aesthetics of their country. Through the paintings and sculptures, we see how the country has transformed . And we see how the painting styles, techniques, and languages have also evolved. Together, these changes reflect a great deal about how the people  have felt throughout time," said Tan Ping, vice president if China National Academy of Arts.

"This exhibition goes beyond the traditional medium of ink and watercolor to embrace calligraphy, oil paintings, sculptures and installations. For the artists, their biggest inspiration is the people, hearing their voices and telling their stories," said reporter Shen Li.

Art from the people and for the people - that's the key message of this exhibition.

Many pieces on display focus on a particular group of people in China, whether it's Tibetan girls, Chinese migrant workers, or in this case, the country's ballet dancers.

"I'm very honored to have my works at this exhibition. I used to paint about China's rural countryside because that's where I came from. But this painting was inspired by a meeting with Feng Ying, director of the National Ballet of China. She took me backstage to see how the ballet dancers prepare for their stage performance. And I was touched by one ballerina who was sewing her ballet shoes. There's a certain tension and strength about the ballet dancers even when they are not dancing. So I've decided to capture that moment with my brush," said He Jiaying, vice president of China Artists Association.

The exhibition will run until June 27th.