Prison art by ex-officials draws public attention  

A painting created by Zhao Feng, a former official who has been sentenced to life imprisonment

(ECNS)-- Paintings and calligraphy created by prisoners in Beijing are on display at a special exhibit hosted by the municipal prison management bureau, with some former high-level officials' works especially eye-catching.

Held at Capital Library, the exhibit features 74 calligraphy and paintings created by prisoners in Beijing. An opening ceremony for the exhibition was held on Wednesday.

Among the highlights at the event are two soft pen calligraphy works, "The Doctrine of Teacher" and "An Admonition to My Son", created by Cao Wenzhuang, former director of the country's food and drug watchdog.

Cao was given a death sentence with a two-year reprieve in 2007 for accepting bribes and dereliction of duty. He is now serving his sentence at Beijing Prison.

Cao was selected as a "reeducation model" at the prison, according to an official there.

Besides Cao, there are several other official-turned-inmates who contributed their artworks to the exhibit. More than 10 artworks are created by former chiefs who committed crimes while on duty.

Another "famous" prisoner and "reeducation model" is Huang Guangyu, former Chinese appliance tycoon, the official added.

Huang, former chairman of Gome Electrical Appliances Holdings, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for illegal business dealings, insider trading and corporate bribery in 2010.

The show is on display for one week.