In an essay, the author presents a profile and discusses the work of the Chinese artist Hu Xiaoyuan. The author notes that Hu employs non-representational, abstract forms in works that make subtle comments on the social, economic and political contexts of contemporary Chinese society. The author compares Hu's work to other Chinese artists such as Li Shurui, Liang Yuanwei and Liu Jianhua, noting that they each avoid explicit political references in their art.