Many modern Chinese porcelain pieces look so similar that it's hard to tell one piece from another.

But an exhibition featuring about 300 porcelain pieces, currently on display on Aomen Road, is aimed at revealing some different works to the public.

Organized by Weicheng Art Center, the exhibit is divided into two parts.

The first involves traditional and familiar porcelain pieces while the second part has plenty of surprises for visitors.

Rather than merely painting patterns on a plate or vase, the artists have begun to change the stereotypical concept of how Chinese porcelain should appear.

More creative ideas have led to a changing in shapes and techniques used in this ancient medium. For example, a porcelain night owl with succinct lines and dim colors gazing afar renders a humorous feeling.

Liu Zheng, the artist who created the owl, says he referred to some modern Western concepts in his pieces.

The same practice is also seen in Huang Huanyi's porcelain pieces. Equipped with a strong academic background, Huang's works are even more daring and impressive.

His work titled "Blossoming" features a cluster of short grass blossoming miraculously in nature.

"I just prefer to express the primitivity and energy of small things on our Earth," Huang explains. "The vitality is everywhere, even for small grass. So why can't we treasure our own life?"

Apart from "Blossoming," Huang also has a series of work on display named "The Lying Vase." Different from the normal vases, Huang lays these vases down and twists them, as if treating them as a living creature. But he still paints traditional patterns including flowers, dragons and clouds on the surface of the vases, evoking a mild conflict between past and present, or modern and traditional.

"When talking about Chinese vases, people immediately think about a repeated vase image," he says. "I wanted to challenge such an old concept. But it was difficult until I thought of giving a twisting effect to the vase. As a result, they appear quite stunning."

Perhaps that is why the Guardian Auction House has decided to put Huang's porcelain works under the hammer every year - especially rare among Chinese ceramists.