Nick Pan sits in front of a canvas painting that explores the crucifixion which he did as part of his CAFA course. [Photo by Nigel Moffiet/chinadaily.com.cn]

Living in Beijing is difficult says 26-year-old artist Nick Pan - of course making money is important but perhaps "art is something higher," he says sitting in a café in the city's 798 art district.

Pan graduated from Beijing's Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in fresco painting. He is among the talented few to attend the exclusive school which describes itself as the "leading institution for modern art education in China".

CAFA, explains Pan, is renowned and Chinese and international students flock from all around to study at the school. It's hard to get it in.

Yet, it's contributing to a growing pool of creative talent in the city, says Pan who arrived from south Hunan province in 2009. He moved to the capital for "self exploration and artistic exploration" as well as better "career opportunities".

"If something new is taking place in China, it must be taking place in Beijing. The market's right here. You wouldn't be able to make it as a contemporary artist in another city."

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