Shishuo (Discourse on Teaching), a famous prose of Tang Dynasty (618-907) writer Tang Yu, says, "Pupils are not necessarily inferior to their teachers, nor teachers better than their pupils." It suggests a harmonious relation between teachers and students who would both benefit from each other.

An exhibition at the China National Academy of Painting celebrates such a perfect mentorship. It shows the works of these who just completed a yearlong course for advanced studies at the academy in Beijing.

For two decades, the China National Academy of Painting has been operating advancement classes for artists, curators and art writers across the country, allowing them to refresh ideas under the discipline of veterans at the academy.

Liu Wanming, head of the academy, said the latest course had 50 influential artists providing mentorship, covering a wide range of fields in Chinese art, including the framing and conservation of classic Chinese paintings and calligraphy, and quanxingtuo or image rubbing of archaic bronze wares.

Cheng Dali, one of the mentors, says the course has also allowed him to gain new perspectives and ways of thinking from his students.