To many artists, the COVID-19 pandemic can be a source of inspiration for their creations. A contemporary art exhibition being held at the China Guardian Art Center in Beijing shows the work of many artists infused with new perspectives on life.

It brings together acclaimed Chinese contemporary artists and newly emerging creators. Without a specific theme, many of the art works reveal a rethinking of the world after more than half a year spent not only witnessing but also living through these unusual time.

The latest work in Gu Wenda's "United Nations" series was completed one day before the exhibition opened. The balls on the ground are made of real human hair. They represent the coronavirus, the reality of the situation and the mess that is involved. But they are surrounded by hope, featured by the characters above. These are symbols of different civilizations, peoples and cultures. The artist tries to express a message that human beings, as a whole, are facing the same problem and are working together.

Gu Wenda started the project in 1997 and has collected almost six million people's hair from around the world so far. Different installations within the project have been exhibited in different places over a period of more than 20 years, and the material used has always been just hair. 

"Hair contains DNA. Most scientists believe that genetic research is the final approach to human beings, the essence of technology. It's not like a computer, a network or artificial intelligence. They are just tools. In reality, the 'United Nations' is kind of a Utopia idea. But in my work, it can be completely established. I want to put everybody together," said Gu.

The exhibition also shows some artists' changing ideas, born out of the coronavirus epidemic. The 1,000-year-old maple trunk represented by artist Shi Jinsong is a version of a dream-like rural scenery. Assembled with modern elements like wheels and other vehicle parts, it used to demonstrate the idea of taking one's dream land of idyllic beauty on an urban journey. But the exhibition was postponed due to the epidemic, so the piece changed too. 

"There were originally going to be lots of bubbles above to create a beautiful and varied wonderland. But now it's all black. I took out all the decoration on this work and made carbon the main material. Carbon seems to be the end of burning, but it could also be used as the combustion improver for the gunpowder which represents the start of another journey," said Shi.

Pieces form another 23 young artists are also being shown in the exhibition. Full of curiosity and exploration of the world, they strive to create new possibilities and values for traditional Chinese art with their own artistic perspective. 

"These young artists come from different places across the country and have different ideas in creation. They are trying hard to understand and participate in the expression of social phenomena, based on their individual experiences and educational backgrounds," said curator Zhao Li.

The contemporary art exhibition runs till September 19.