Chen is also exploring the possibility of merging this ancient technique with modern life. Except for some traditional objects for rubbings, such as oracle-bone inscriptions and tombstone inscriptions, things from daily life can also be ink-imprinted. Thus the stone rubbing technique can also be used to reflect modern life, like urban and rural construction, poverty alleviation.
"Based on real vegetables, fish and shrimp, my work 'Full vegetable basket' shows the achievements in poverty alleviation in rural areas of China. I want to record this encouraging historical stage, where people in rural China have enough vegetables and fish to eat," Chen said.
