Cai Guo-Qiang, an artist originally from China, connects his viewers to nature and the universe through unique mediums. Cai uses gunpowder to create paintings, fireworks to fill the sky with wonderful images, light tubes for dramatic affect and some sculpted animals for connectedness of nature. 

“I try to use my art as a channel of communication between man and nature; man and the universe. Who knows where this channel brings you?”

-Cai Guo-Qian

Cai is mostly known for his gunpowder paintings, which he has done over and over again. Soon after his first few gunpowder paintings, it became a spectacle. His art pieces became more of a performance as he continued to experiment and create. Cai chose to use gunpowder as a medium because not only did it interest him, it had a deeper meaning in the Chinese culture. Originally, gunpowder was created in China as a magic powder which would make people strong and powerful. Because of this Cai chose to use gunpowder as one of his mediums. 

Additionally, Cai designs his own fireworks for unique shows. Most of Cai’s shows use fireworks which create colored smoke to be seen during the day time. In one of his recent fireworks shows, Flora Commedia, Cai designed fireworks to paint the sky with colors and flowers from renaissance art. To Cai these flowers in renaissance art represent a free spirit.