To mark the 55th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, the French Academy of Fine Arts, one of the country's top art institutions, brought 37 sculptures created by five of its members to China for an exhibition.

The exhibition, held at the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC), kicked off on Friday, and will last until July 9. Afterward, the NAMOC will be able to keep all 37 artistic works as part of their collection.

The works on display are from five sculptors, members of the Academy and great artists of France who enjoy international fame, including Claude Abeille, Jean Cardot, Jean Anguera, Antoine Poncet and Brigitte Terziev.

The Sculpture section of the Academy now has eight members.

According to Wu Weishan, curator of the NAMOC, the exhibition is named "Immortal Heritage" and carries on the "outstanding essence and force contained in the French art and culture."

The themes of the sculptures on display are diverse, such as the exploration of life and emotion, content and format, realism and abstraction, man and nature, West and East. Some even extend the connotation and try to foresee the possibility of art beyond the current era.

"Sculptures do not need interpretation. They are an international language of their own," said Claude Abeille, who hopes visitors can grasp the messages the artists conveyed through their works.

The French Academy of Fine Arts, established in 1816, is one of the five academies of the Institute of France, as well as one of the most renowned art institutions around the globe.