Photo/Shetuwang

An exhibition featuring bronze sculptures of 101 widely-used Chinese family names is open in the Overseas Chinese History Museum of China in Beijing, the China Daily reported Tuesday.

Showcasing the family names shared by more than 85 percent of Chinese people, the works are designed by sculptor Li Tinggui, who was inspired by the ancient writing of Chinese characters using pictorial symbols.

On display is a sculpture of the name Ma, which means horse in Chinese and looks like the eye of a horse, presenting the way ancient Chinese people wrote the character.

"Life is a journey of seeking roots. People seek the roots of their lives to understand the world and themselves better. I am lucky to find some genes of traditional Chinese culture in family names," Li, who spent 12 years creating the pieces, was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

The exhibition will run through July 21.

Email: gaohan@nbd.com.cn