[Photo provided to China Daily]

Picasso's endeavors inspired Zhang as he tried to reform classical Chinese painting in the 1950s. Then, there were those who questioned whether the centuries-old ink art should change.

One side said the form had reached maturity and required no improvement, while the other argued that it should drop the rigid technical norms to incorporate new styles that suited the tastes of most people.

Zhang opted for reforms and together with several like-minded painters, including Li Keran, another modern ink master, they journeyed to southern China in 1954 to sketch outdoors, hoping that it would allow them to find a new path.

Wang Yuliang, an art professor of Tsinghua University, says: "He wanted to rejuvenate Chinese painting by adopting the most original, lively elements he could find in every-day life. And he found the power of folk art."

The trip produced a series of colored ink paintings that are displayed in the current exhibition.