Visitors look at exhibits of Heritage Immortal, an exhibition showing 37 sculptures by five current artists from France's Academie des Beaux-Arts at the National Art Museum of China. All the artworks on display will be added to the permanent collection of the museum after the exhibition ends on July 9. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

Abeille says some of the works on display celebrate beauty and dynamics, while others convey a sense of stability and concentration on art. Some works express thoughts on human's status, while others depict the vibrancy of forms.

"All these works come from France, which is thousands of miles away. I hope they will spark different thoughts among the people here, and I hope the visitors will experience joy while they walk around them."

Jean Anguera, vice-president of the Academie des Beaux-Arts and another French artist featured at the exhibition, says the show allows them to introduce their work as sculptors, adding that they feel honored to be able to "encounter" Chinese thoughts and philosophy passed down thousands of years through a process of challenge and self-innovation.

"Sculpture is a form that can give full expression to the Sino-French friendship, because sculpture is an art of solidity that endures the passing of time. Sculpture achieves a certain harmonious balance by combining material and thought," he says.