Artist Meng Boshen wins 2017 Wang Shikuo Award

An artwork made from trees that were cut down during a demolition project has grabbed a lot of public attention, and artist Meng Boshen has won the 2017 Wang Shikuo Award.

The work is titled "Suspension" and it's on display at the Today Art Museum in Beijing.

The winner of the Wang Shikuo Award receives 100,000 yuan ($14,700) or may hold a solo exhibition at the museum.

A dozen young artists were nominated this year for the Wang Shikuo Award. This included Cong Ming, who lost his hearing when he was one-year-old.

The 28-year-old from Dalian now exhibits his paintings inspired by classic Chinese philosophies including I Ching.

Wang Shikuo is an important contemporary revolutionary realist painter who garnered an important position in the history of Chinese art in the 20th century.

He remains so admired that a contemporary-art award bearing his name was announced last year.

Museum Curator Gao Peng says the launch of the Wang Shikuo Award aims to encourage up-and-coming artists to commit themselves to the creation of art. It also urges close public attention and support for art.