Liu Yuyi, painter. Photo provided to China Daily

Records broken

Nebe decided to make a documentary about Liu's life and work to help foreigners know more about the artist and modern Chinese art.

Filming will take place in five cities - Zigong in Sichuan province; Nanjing in Jiangsu province; Guilin in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region; Hong Kong; and Beijing. Postproduction is expected to be completed in September.

Liu, 75, spent his childhood in Zigong and Nanjing before moving to Guilin, where he spent 27 years. In 1991, he went to Hong Kong and decided to paint 300 outstanding ethnic Chinese from all walks of life. This project will reach completion this year after more than 20 years of work.

From 1993 to 1997, Liu's paintings broke the record price for contemporary art by Chinese artists four times at art auctions in Hong Kong. Since that time, he has never put any of his work up for auction.

"I don't need too much money as I already feel comfortable with my life," he said.

Beijing Normal University invited Liu to come back to Beijing in 2011 and established an art institute named after him.

Liu is the head of the institute and has 10 painters, ages 25 to 30, studying under him. The institute is cultivating the talent of painters who can create prominent historical themes.

"I hope the young painters take their time to study literature, art and philosophy, which will all help them to produce better work," Liu said. "There should be no rushing in the path of art."