CHINA'S increasing importance in the modern world has encouraged Quad to look East to recruit its first artist in residence.

Zheng Li, a contemporary painter from China, is currently busy at the Derby arts centre creating work for a major exhibition that opens in the Quad Gallery next Friday.

His striking pictures often feature babies, which appear genderless and old before their time. Reacting to the current social context, they reflect on and watch the world.

He will be creating similar images in Derby, inspired by what he has discovered since arriving here from his home city of Chongqing, a huge mountain metropolis in Southwest China, beside the Yangtze River.

Li says: "Derby's very quiet compared with Chongqing. Derby also has a lot of historical buildings and churches whereas Chongqing has undergone major development recently. In the past, Chongqing had a lot of historical buildings but as it has been modernised they have been lost. I like the fact that many remain in Derby."

Li has a degree in traditional European oil painting but tends to explore themes of culture, humanity and race using traditional Chinese techniques.

He has exhibited at San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art and all across China. He works as a teacher at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and was encouraged in his work by his artist father.

"It was my father's wish for me to follow in his footsteps," Li says. "My father didn't achieve all his targets so he hopes I can achieve some of his dreams."

His Derby exhibition will bridge the gap between England and China.

"Western and Eastern culture are very different and those differences help me develop my work," he says. "It's my routine and daily life and the things that I come across that are my inspiration, while my education and training give me the skills to put that into practice.

"I draw these pictures because they show how people feel in certain situations. I chose babies because they represent a fresh new beginning, like me coming into Derby.

"I very much like Derby's Dolphin bar because of its history. If you are born in Derby and travel somewhere else, the memory of the Dolphin will take you straight back to Derby. I try to make people remember what happened at the beginning of things.

"Even though we have different lifestyles and have different experiences what I have noticed is how much we have in common. Through this different environment I'm learning about myself and I think it will be hugely beneficial to my development as an artist. I hope it will also be a big benefit for Quad and Derby. The opportunity to learn about each other is an important aspect of my visit. To create art you have to know yourself, know the world and know the people around you. I really thank Quad for giving me this opportunity.

"I really hope that an artist from Derby can come to Chongqing and experience my culture as I know that would also be beneficial to help our understanding of each other."

Li certainly has already got a firm grasp of what being English is all about.

His top priority is to "experience some traditional foods – I would like some fish and chips".

And he says: "I also think the weather in England is very special."

Zheng Li's new exhibition will be on display from July 4 – September 6.

Li will be holding an artist's talk as part of the exhibition opening on Friday, July 3, from 6pm to 7pm.

The illustrated talk offers a chance to hear about his new exhibition in Quad, past artwork and working as an artist in China. The talk is free but booking is recommended. The illustrated talk will be followed by a preview of Li's exhibition in Quad Gallery, from 7pm-8.30pm, with music in the Coors Cafe Bar by Erhu player Ling Peng and Chinese Whispers Ensemble, from 7pm.

Call 01332 290606, or go to www.derbyquad.co.uk.