Rock has always been a traditional subject in Chinese painting. In 1990, Zhou Chunya began using new painting techniques for Chinese stones, creating the "Rock Series". The colors of these rocks were very unique, a departure from the colors seen in nature. The artist says, "I'm not painting rocks out of consideration for images or icons; it is out of interest. I liked the forms of rocks from the brushes of the literati, but wasn't satisfied with that overly moderate, introspective character, so I thought up a bold and risky experiment – to use that elegant form to convey violent, even erotic overtones."

This lot, "Red Rock", is an early work in Zhou Chunya's "Rock Series". The work uses rose red with black shading, with the surface shrouded in a murky haze, creating a complex and dynamic mixture of visual elements. Sometimes it looks like a chunk of flesh or warm, delightful blood vessels. The artist has used light coatings of fresh bright colors, along with relief-style brushstrokes, breathing life into the rock and the sense of a soul. The picture is a departure from the elegance and delicacy of classical tastes, a reflection of the artist's complex ideas regarding tradition.