Crossover?

There is currently an exhibition at the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre featuring oil paintings by Chinese artist Chen Lianjun (陳連軍). The paintings are of various Chinese landscapes, in particular autumn scenes. There are also some portraits of Chinese villagers.

I am no expert in oil paintings, but I find Chen's works very refreshing. It seems to me that he is good at handling light and shade. The reflections in rivers and lakes are convincing too. Also, the combination of oil paintings with Chinese landscapes is creative (although I am not sure if he is the first person to try it) - brush and ink drawings would be more common in this context.

However, there is another artistic "crossover" in the exhibition that is more unusual. Teddy bears are on display there. They are of an English brand called Merrythought. The company produces collectible antique teddy bears. Many of those on display are priced several thousand dollars. A few of them are even open for bidding. The receipts go to charity. A company chief from Merrythought sits at a counter in the exhibition to sign autographs (presumably on the bears).

This is the first time I come across teddy bears for sale in an oil paintings exhibition! A strange combination indeed...