Life of Guangzhou - Studios in Panyu, Where Artists Congregate

Entering a garage-like building near Panyu's Shiqiao metro station, we passed through the darkness with slight rays hitting the exposed pipes on the ceiling. In a huge room, a massive bookshelf filled with books and albums came into view.

In a huge room, a massive bookshelf is filled with books and albums. (lifeofguangzhou.com/Yang Xiaonan)

This is a studio owned by Mr. Yang Xiaoyan, an artist, critic and professor of communications. Yang's fellow artist Mr. He Jiancheng, professional oil painter, has his studio besides Mr Yang Xiaoyan's. Mr. He's studio is homely and amiable – inclusive of painting equipment and unfinished works. The rooms are filled with all sorts of household electronic appliances and decorations on the walls.

Homely studio (lifeofguangzhou.com/Yang Xiaonan)

The studio is as big as an exhibition hall. (lifeofguangzhou.com/Yang Xiaonan)

The studios are temporarily named PanYu Art Studio. One studio of the 15 is shared by two female friend oil painters. As it is near metro line three, they call their studio, Line Three Studio.

According to He, there are totally 15 art studios owned by various artists on the second floor of the building. Including tutors of the artist academy, professional painters, sculptors, critics and postgraduates, the place is like a womb for art, offering a platform for artistic communication.

As the artistic atmosphere increases, the artists plan to open the studios to welcome visitors and exhibitors.

(By Jessie Hwang, Alan Devey)