The natural ores formed over millions of years by wind and sand are grounded into particles of different sizes, which are used as paints and drawn onto the picture with delicate brush strokes.  The distinctively stable and calm colouring effect of mineral color paints as well as its language of texture form the unique artistic style and characteristics of mineral color painting, which seemingly reveal the attitude of oriental art towards the relationship between the heaven, earth, human beings and things, showing the profundity of traditional eastern culture.  Using the traditional art material of mineral color, which has a history of thousands of years, the artist Hong Bao expresses the vast and far-reaching nature of Chinese culture, telling about the infinite emotions and imagination of contemporary life.

Hong Bao has always adhered to an internal logic in her mineral color creations, and has gone in-depth, as her mentor Ma Wenxi commented: “Hong Bao’s paintings are characterised by both ancient mythological imagery and the expansion of the modern vision.  Her works, which are often painted in one foot square, build up a far-reaching and profound vision, regardless of the size.  She has established a technical language that is both light and heavy, creating a unique visual image and a style of painting that is luminous.  The fairytale-like, poetic temperament of the works manifests the imagination by the young generation about the contemporary modern life, and the images reveal the thoughts sparked from the current urban life, and the spirit of searching for a spiritual modern paradise.”

If you take a closer look at Hong Bao’s works, you would notice that in addition to the delicate narrative style and the pure, simple figures and animals, she shows a distinctive mastery of color:  the overall tonal relationship is strong and distinctive, the layered strong colors that are fresh, dreamy, and maintaining the traditional flavour, and the unique texture of “ore” conveyed by visual sensation produced by the use of mineral color that reflects the jewel-like light and makes the picture subtle yet radiant, with a sense of romance and translucency on top of a rich historical tone.

The natural ore of millions of years tells the story of time, and Hong Bao uses it to depict life and fantasy.  Her works are like whisper of the wind, building a gorgeous and boundless world.