Chinese artist Zhou Mien and Melbourne’s Denise Keele-Bedford today launch their works in the Kelp Street venue’s new exhibition Exchange.

The artists’ village of Song Zhuang, on the outskirts of Beijing, has hosted both artists, gallery director Liza McCosh said.

“A lot of artists gather there and create and sell their work,” she said.

“Some Australian artists go and work for several months of the year.

“We haven’t exhibited any international artists so this is a first for us.”

Dr McCosh said she was looking forward to introducing the region to the artists’ creations which include oil paintings, paper scrolls and Chinese-laquered wood carvings.

“I collected the work of Zhou’s that I wanted and then approached Denise,” she said.

“Their work is very different.

“Zhou’s is Western in style while Denise is heavily influenced by Chinese culture and symbols.

“That’s how I curated the idea of Exchange ... it will make people aware of the fact that different artists do draw on different cultures.”

Zhou, who has not previously shown his work internationally, will take up artist residency at the Julia Street Creative Space in Portland while he is in Australia.

“He is a very skilled painter,” Dr McCosh said.

“His work has developed a political edge with dialogues pertaining to the east and west.”

The exhibition will be launched at 3pm today and run until March 4.

The gallery is located at 38 Kelp Street.

Normal opening hours are 12 to 5pm, Thursday to Sunday.

bziegeler@standard.fair fax.com.au