A creative artist from Xinjiang's Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture has pioneered a distinctive genre known as Color Stone Painting, an innovative fusion of oil, gouache, sculpture, and traditional handicrafts.
Gulnur Arkin, the founder of the style, developed her signature technique through years of experimentation, using locally sourced materials to create works known for their depth, intricate layering, and subtle variations in color.
"This is the very material we tread beneath our feet. The sense of accomplishment from creating these works extends beyond mere aesthetics -- it brings genuine joy. I am Gulnur Arkin, the creater of Color Stone Painting," Gulnur said.
The artist traces the origins of Color Stone Painting to a deeply personal journey, one shaped by family responsibilities, creative curiosity, and a self-taught passion.
"Color Stone Painting is a form of planar relief artwork created using naturally occurring mineral powders, jade powders, and composite materials from Xinjiang. Due to family circumstances, I had to resign from my job and return from Urumqi to Yining. Aside from caring for my family, I was unable to work outside the home. In my spare time, I enjoyed painting, experimenting, and creating at home. I never received formal training in fine arts -- it was more of a hobby. From this hobby, we have now developed color stone painting into what it is today," she explained.
Every year, as autumn transitions into winter, the artist from the Kazak ethnic group embarks on a journey to explore the riverbeds near mining sites, scouring for stones of diverse colors, textures, and sizes. These stones are then meticulously ground into powder, serving as the raw materials for her creations.
"I'm relatively more skilled at painting landscapes, as well as horses. Ili is the homeland of heavenly horses (Ferghana horses), and this particular horse piece took us over two months to complete, while material preparation alone spanned nearly a year. The particularly bright areas you see from the side are mostly made with jade powder, while the darker parts use mineral powders. The artwork is created by leveraging the unique characteristics of these stones," said Gulnur.
Gulnur highlighted a standout piece at the entrance, a poplar tree artwork that blends natural texture with artistic depth.
"Additionally, we have a piece featuring a poplar tree displayed at the entrance. What makes this work unique is that its most three-dimensional element is a segment of poplar wood that fell from a poplar forest growing in the desert. The lower portion primarily uses mineral powders, along with some sand," she added.
Driven by passion and precision, Gulnur has spent over a decade crafting one-of-a-kind stone paintings, each made from rare materials, while patiently mentoring apprentices through the demanding, years-long journey to master the art.
"Every time we find a larger stone, it's hard to find another of similar color. After the stone is crushed, processed, and filtered, we can only use it in one single artwork. We won't have the same material available for the next piece. For more than a decade now, I have persisted on this path purely out of passion," she said.
"Since such artwork requires a high level of skill, it takes at least five years of experience to properly master. Therefore, I'm very patient when teaching apprentices, as they have to learn gradually and steadily," she added.
For her, the true sense of fulfillment comes from transforming these seemingly ordinary stones into extraordinary works of art, with her exquisite craftsmanship continuing to inspire other artists.
"Xinjiang is rich in both the ores and jade, which is a gift from Mother Nature. My future plan is to open a larger exhibition hall. We want to hold exhibitions not only in Xinjiang, but also across the country, including in Beijing and Shanghai. I hope I can more widely showcase the rich culture of Xinjiang," said Gulnur.
Xinjiang artist turns raw minerals into layered landscape paintings
