Mi, calling himself a "rockaholic", was a descendent of Mi Fu, one of the most renowned calligraphers in Chinese history and a rock lover himself.

According to calligrapher and painter Xiao Ping, Wu applied rich changes in color, shade and lines to portray the rock and left blank cracks to represent the rock's "tendons".

Xiao said the artist was largely influenced by Zen thoughts and his living environment at his mountainous hometown of Putian, located in today's Fujian province. The artist included all his feelings toward nature into the work.

Xiao was speaking at a conference held in Beijing during the weekend to discuss Wu and Mi's life experiences, and the features, techniques and artistic values of their work.