An opera figure painting, drawn by Ding Liren, professor from the Design and Art College under University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, is on display at the opera ink painting show. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A Chinese opera ink painting show was held at Shanghai 800 Artistic Zone on Friday, adding colour to the local artistic market.

The one-month show, co-sponsored by Shanghai Zhuqizhan Art Gallery and the zone, displays more than 80 pieces of works drawn by 12 famous Chinese opera ink painting artists, said Yang Weimin, a critic of fine arts.

As one of the classic academic projects launched by the art gallery in the past years, the show has been held abroad, winning high praise, Yang said.

"Holding such a show aims to push forward China's opera ink painting art," he said.

The art zone close to Huangxing Park in Yangpu district is a landmark artistic center in northeast of Shanghai, where many artisits from home and abroad have held shows, letting local visitors enjoy valuable artistic works.

The zone has set up many art galleries and creative studios to exhibit works of art, including wook blocks, traditional Chinese paintings, handiwork and antiques. It also holds a club for celebrities and an art salon for collection and display of works painted by famous artists.

"The show, an attempt to start a win-win partnership, indicates a good beginning," said Yang.

Opera ink paintings are a merger of Chinese operas and traditional Chinese paintings, China's two big traditional arts. "They diffuse a typical oriental art glamour," Yang said.