To help celebrate the world expo's theme of "Better city, Better life," the Shanghai International Engraving Painting Exhibition opened Friday.

33 artists from 11 countries submitted their works which depict their take on the expo's theme.

33 engraving painting artists from countries including the US, UK and France came up with 104 pieces selected for the exhibition.

They say the art work shows the observation, thinking, imagination and individual representation during the different stages of urbanization. The works also depict the artists' expectations and happiness over social progress and their uneasiness about the fast changing world.

The works by top Japanese engraving painting artist, Noda Tetsu, shows scenarios people come across during holidays.

Shanghai artist, Liao Yang's works, present the life of people who live on the edge of the city. They could be laborer from rural areas or owners of little street stalls. Liao uses humor to elaborate that these people's self-confidence and self pride remains, despite the hard life.

The international engraving painting exhibition runs until the 5th of October at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai.