ILLUSTRATED:

Stone has been an enduring subject for China's literati painters throughout history. The mass of stone and the textural lines on its surface provide artists with an opportunity for expression. Its plump contours create a reserved yet solid, artificially laid out feel, so that the artist can form a complete image without adornment.

This work is rendered in ochre tones. The large blocky rendering of the lower section, resembling dark storm clouds, creates feelings of inhibition. The female body incorporated in the center is rendered in bright green, creating a forceful contrast. The entire work is full of dynamism and deep layers. The nude woman's body has been stripped of all social markers, laying bare the essence of human nature. Green is a signal for danger, like the calm before a volcanic eruption. In the image, the gentle beauty on the surface is unable to conceal the extreme terror and hesitation of the figure. This work expresses the modern sense of the loss of self, and the burying of the natural spirit.