Peach Period art by Cai Guo-Qiang

Peach Period is defined by radiant blooms of magenta and crimson that spread across the surface, dissolving into soft veils of gray and pale pink. Dense clusters of pigment give way to smoky, atmospheric passages, creating a composition that feels both explosive and ethereal. Executed with gunpowder on glass backed with mirror, the reflective surface captures ambient light and the viewer's own presence, allowing the work to shift with its surroundings. Since 1986, Cai Guo-Qiang has used gunpowder as his primary artistic medium, embracing its dual capacity for destruction and creation. Deeply rooted in Chinese history and culture—including ancient medicine, ceremonial fireworks, and modern warfare—the material serves as both a physical medium and a conceptual one, transforming the force of combustion into luminous color, texture, and abstraction.