Noted oil painter Zhao Peizhi, born in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, was exposed to the rich history and cultures of various ethnic groups living in the area during childhood. The experience helped define the themes of his work for a long time.

But Zhao, instead of depicting the usual, well-received joyful scenes of dancing and singing, employs a calm, nostalgic perspective to zoom in on the mentality of people of the Tajik group living in Xinjiang.

Restrained Sensibility, Zhao's solo exhibition at the China National Academy of Painting's gallery in Beijing until Tuesday, shows these paintings, in which the fine composition and palette bring out the depth of an ethnic group's past and the spiritual power of its people.