China's art scene today is like the Europe of the last century, as new ideas and trends emerge. A new gallery Art+Shanghai shows five young artists and searches the country for more talents, writes Lu Rong.Hidden at the end of a typical Shanghai-style lane on Fuxing Road, Art+Shanghai enjoys solitude in the heart the former French Concession.The gallery opened late last month with a group show of five very different Chinese artists - Sun Qi, Li Shiguang, Zhang Wei, An Kun and Wu Jianjun."Visitors enjoy the diversity and prefer different styles at the same time to a solo exhibition," says Agnes Cohade, partner and gallery director from France.The oil paintings of Sun, 34, from Jilin Province, show a strong influence of Japanese cartoons. Through a series of portraits of lonely delicate dolls with big eyes, he tries to express a state of confusion in the growing-up process.Li from Anhui Province and Zhang from Hunan Province have something in common, both probing the interaction and conflict between the West and the East. Both work in oils.The 28-year-old Li integrates classical images of Western culture, including the "Turkish Bath" by Ingres and the "Times Square Kiss" celebrating the end of World War II, with traditional Chinese symbols such as high red walls, white blossoms and cranes.The effect is surreal. First he displays photographs of the works and element side by side, then he paints them.In Zhang's series "Qi Baishi vs Marilyn," the artist juxtaposes photos of Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe side with famous works of Chinese ink-wash painting master Qi. Combining Chinese and Western painting skills, the absolute contrast has a comedic effect.Compared to the clear deconstruction of cultural symbols, the works of An from Jiangsu Province and Wu from Sichuan Province are more complicated.In his "Zen" oil painting series, 39-year-old An uses light and shadow to create distorted bony faces with long earlobes. These austere faces in thin waterish color evoke the suffering spirit of Buddha. They contain a hidden power."These paintings are very popular among the real collectors," says Cohade.The subjects of Wu, 41, are blurred human bodies with strange birds' feet. The technique in oil is highly sophisticated.The four partners of Art+Shanghai, three from France and one from Spain, hope the gallery will become a pleasant gathering place for collectors and art lovers as well as a bridge between artists and the public.Ana Gonzalez, the Spanish partner, has been impressed with local artists since she came to Shanghai three years ago."I was really surprised at the quality of Chinese contemporary paintings," she says. "There are a number of top art academies in China, where young artists study excellent techniques. And China right now is just like the Europe of last century, where a lot of new ideas and trends are emerging."In search of more young talents, art director Jeremie Thircuir is traveling around China to meet artists. New paintings and photos are arriving soon from Chongqing, Chengdu and Beijing."Our exhibitions will always focus on Chinese contemporary art, because we live in China and have better access to local artists. We will maintain long-term relationships with our artists to learn about their lives and understand their paintings. This is also important for our customers," says Cohade.The next show is a solo exhibition by Zhang Wei, to open next Friday.