"Literati Painting", also known as "Southern School" of Chinese Painting often refers to those art works completed by literati or scholar-bureaucrat. Most of the time, this definition denotes to the identity of the artist rather than the content of the works. After a long period of exploration and discussion, "New Literati Painting" has developed. Though deeply rooted in the traditional subjects and styles at the end of feudal society, New Literati Painting does not bound by the traditional rules and concepts. The new literati painters often express their emotions through brush-strokes, and further show their understandings of eastern and western culture, and knowledge of traditional and modern life.

Amongst the artists of this exhibition, Korean artist Kim Tschang Yeul was deeply influenced by oriental culture. Western critics often see philosophy of Zen and Tao behind the water-drops and Chinese characters in his paintings. The artist is humble, sincere, and quiet, which are the characteristics reflect in his calm, tranquil and peaceful paintings.Ren Xiaolin's art works share the same features with traditional Chinese folk arts like erotic illustrations and frescoes. Ren Xiaolin’s feminine, quietness and indolence made his work more like an ancient portraits of beautiful women.

Living a secluded life in Taiwan, Su Wongshen possesses unsophisticated personality. With oriental compositions and metaphors, the artist shows the political environment and living status of his beloved home land within his paintings.Lee Yong Deok's works are often with deep philosophy of Taoism. The artist always asks himself: "Whether what I see, what I feel and what I touch is real?"

Realistic painting is the technique that female artist Eom Ok-Kyun used to represent old traditions. But later she found her own happiness through traditional folk art: "I spent my childhood with my grandparents. I still have a vivid memory of the traditional embroidery and pattern. I'm especially addicted to traditional folk arts which inspire my creation."The art works of Tu Shaohui is both traditional and modern. While those art works show the best of traditional literati's characters, they also challenge the idea of traditional Chinese ink paintings.As a young intellectual who yearn for traditional culture, Liu Zhifeng shows the quality of literati through his resentment against the status quo and social ideal. From his work we can see the criticism of a scholar and temperament of literati.