Home in Symi

Haotian is a Wuhan-based artist whose work explores memory, nature, and imagination. Born in Hubei, she grew up surrounded by trees, flowers, and sculptural figures at her grandparents’ home—a place that felt like a paradise. When it was lost to urban development, she began searching for a new "Eden" through her paintings, creating serene yet mysterious landscapes that exist beyond reality. Her inspiration comes from both Eastern and Western traditions. She was fascinated by Peach Blossom Spring (桃花源记), an ancient Chinese tale of a hidden utopia, and later found similar themes in Biblical stories of Eden. Influences from Studio Ghibli’s dreamlike worlds also shape her work, blending nostalgia with an otherworldly sense of wonder. Color plays a powerful role in her art. Initially taught to follow strict academic methods, Haotian’s perspective changed when she encountered Van Gogh’s expressive use of color. Now, she paints with emotion—reds symbolize passion and unease, greens evoke life and nostalgia, and purples create mystery and elegance. Her work has been shown at venues across China, including Maison191 in Wuhan and the Hi Art Center in Beijing, and she has received recognition such as the Baolong Art Award. Through her art, Haotian invites viewers into imagined landscapes—places that feel both familiar and dreamlike, offering a space to reflect, escape, and explore.