The Second Beijing International Art Biennale, the largest and highest level art exhibition in China, is set to open from September 20 to October 20 2005, organizers announced Monday, CRI.com reported today.

So far some 500 art works by famous artists from 60 countries around the world, including big names such as John Bellaney and Allen Jones have registered for the show.

Themed "Contemporary art with humanistic concerns", the month long art exhibition, which will mainly feature paintings and sculptures, has put its eyes on human social life and world peace, as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the victory of the anti-Fascist war.

Jing Shangyi, chairman of the Chinese Fine Artists Association says "We will exert more efforts to make contemporary art accessible to the general public, express pursuit for world peace and promote the development of humankind as well as the harmony between the human beings and nature."

During the biennale, an international symposium will also be held. Meanwhile, awards will be handed out to outstanding works of art appearing at the exhibition.

There will also be some special exhibitions featuring Chinese painting master Qi Baishi's works, and Italian, Russian, Uzbek contemporary Arts.

A special sketch and engraving works exhibition is also in the planning, which will include the works of great impressionist painters Vincent Van Gogh, Renoir, Claude Monet and other world renowned painters.

Beijing hopes to make itself an important contemporary art exhibition venue through this international art festival.

The first Biennale was held in 2003, and attracted some 600 art works from 45 countries.

(CRI.com June 22, 2005)