For Beijing-based artist Wang Jiazeng, iron often evokes nostalgia and represents an emotional attachment to his hometown in Northeast China. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Wang Jiazeng uses a lot of iron to create sizeable paintings and sculptures.

The love of iron comes from Wang's childhood memories of a large number of factories in Northeast China, where he grew up and which was for decades a manufacturing powerhouse. For the Beijing-based artist, iron often evokes nostalgia and represents an emotional attachment to his hometown.

The Event of Iron, an ongoing exhibition at the Today Art Museum until Feb 28, shows mixed-media paintings and sculptures Wang created over the past two years.

Wang's works convey a sense of historic weight and mystic feelings. He draws on early personal experiences to reflect up urban transformation, and he shows concerns with individuals who try to cope with dramatic social changes.