A devotee of the figurative style of painting, Yang's masterful strokes vividly render his subjects in a way reminiscent of the European traditions of classicism and neoclassicism. Beyond imbuing his subjects with harmony and idealism, Yang endeavors to inject the national character and cultural traditions of his home country into his brushwork, making his output emotionally resonant to the public.

Over the past two decades, Yang has kept a steady pace of production while battling health problems. The subjects of his paintings have also diversified, expanding to landscapes and historical figures.

"Painting is a process of accumulation, a result of continuously seeking ways of expression and being touched by things in the world … a work that looks beautiful but moves no one is a void," he says in an introduction to his ongoing exhibition, Full Life, running through Dec 14 at Suzhou Museum, in Jiangsu province.