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."



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.