Yak by Liu Kaiqu and Sleeping Child by Wu Weishan are on display at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra. (LIU CHANGCHANG / XINHUA)

CANBERRA－Three modern Chinese sculptures are on display at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra until Feb 28.

Featuring works by Liu Kaiqu (1904-93), Xiong Bingming (1922-2002) and Wu Weishan from the National Art Museum of China, Sculpting the Soul is exhibited in the NMA's Gandel Atrium.

"I am delighted that these sculptures will be the next installment in our long-standing collaboration with NAMOC," says Mathew Trinca, director of the NMA.

"It strikes me that the three works show a great sense of Chinese art, practice and culture, and, with some influences that have been drawn from around the world, what a wonderful set of objects to show China and its place in the world today."

At the launch of the exhibition on Thursday, Wu, director of the NAMOC, greeted Australian visitors via video.

"Since the 20th century, modern Chinese sculpture has reflected Chinese traditions while also incorporating Western artistic ideas," he says.

"The integration of traditional art, with its emphasis on freehand and linear expression, and Western art, which stresses design and space, has injected life into Chinese sculpture and taken it to the next level."

Yak was made of marble by Liu, the first director of the NAMOC, in 1960. Liu, who had studied in France in his youth, created many works that are emblematic of the national spirit. He made Yak based on the observations in the Tibet autonomous region. He is regarded as a pioneer of modern Chinese sculpture.

Xiong also studied in France where he later settled. He was influenced by Chinese philosophy and freehand brushwork, which could be seen in his piece, Horse, made of cast bronze.

Wu says: "Following in the footsteps of my seniors, I strive to contribute to a conversation that encompasses both Chinese and Western art and to learn about life through art.

"My sculpture Sleeping Child captures the innocence and happiness of childhood."

Wu's award-winning work, made of cast copper, depicts a sleeping boy with his mouth slightly open and his head tilted to the side.

Song Yanqun, minister counselor for culture at the Chinese embassy in Australia, says: "We are lucky to see the exhibition here, which showcases the historical inheritance of Chinese art exchanges with the West.

"They are products of Chinese culture, influenced by Western culture, and products of cultural exchanges themselves."

The NMA and the NAMOC have hosted exchanges since 2010. They recently signed a new memorandum of understanding for the cultural partnership.