The twilight years of a person's life is often a time for slowing down and taking stock. Seventy-nine-year-old artist Liu Shaohui has spent six decades immersed in the world of art. But rather than easing up on his creations, the experienced painter is showing no signs of slowing down his artistic endeavors.

"I Was Born Free" is the name of the exhibition on display at Tsinghua University Art Museum and showcases 60 years Liu Shaohui's art. His remarkable achievements span two centuries and highlight the different forms of "freedom" the man has experienced over the course of his artistic career.

The show encompasses seven sections overall. They are, "Folk Magic," "Line Drawing of Everything in Nature," "The Brave Soul in Rain Forest," "The Energy of Stone," "Civilization Variant," "Unworldly Rule" and "Animated Movie." Over 70 of Liu's works are on display. 

The vice director of Tsinghua University Art Museum, and curator of the exhibition, said: "I think the exhibition is a good representation of Liu Shaohui's diversified explorations into the art world and showcases his artistic concepts. Viewers can sense the artist's style when looking at these paintings and drawings. So far, this is Liu's biggest solo exhibition yet."

Since studying at the Central Academy of Art & Design in the early 1960s, Liu has been pursuing the concept of "Grand Art."

Though most of his early art were created as works of applied art, they have managed to reflect the comprehensive art education mode of the period they emerged from.

The artist has broken through the barriers that separate contemporary art, folk art, heavy-color art, and Eastern and Western cultures.

"When many people get to know an artist, they tend to start from the artist's most representative work. But I think for Liu Shaohui, his artistic style is always changing. He has many representative works: from line drawings to heavy-color paintings to oil paintings. The works reflect his 'Grand Art' concept, which originated during his campus life. I think it is really respectable that an old artist can keep changing his style, to pursue a form of 'free art'," Su Dan added.

After half a century in the art world, Liu keeps pursuing "freedom" with the spirit of a creator who's unafraid to explore the boundaries of what is expected. The exhibition at Tsinghua University will run until May 5.