A 'pure mind' and artistically gifted

Xia Hong can't read or write but this doesn't stop her painting.

Related: Chinese are attracted to branded British universities

Xia has met a lot of people who loved her work during her exhibitions, which provided great encouragement to her and her mother.

Recalling the exhibition in 2006, Xia Maoxian says: "Xia Hong was so happy that day. She even managed to overcome her shyness to explain her works to the audience."

Xia Maoxian says a foreigner at the exhibition liked one of Xia Hong's paintings so much that she offered to pay 1,000 yuan for it. But the Xias accepted the original price of 20 yuan instead.

"I told the lady that we are very honored that she liked the painting," she says.

Xia's exhibition in 2008 was on a much bigger scale. It was staged at the national Three Gorges Museum in Chongqing. It attracted much media attention.

After two exhibitions, Xia's reputation as a painter received a great boost in Chongqing. But she still faces difficulties selling her works to support the family.

"To increase sales, we need to create awareness about Xia and her works," says Xing Yaling, a 23-year-old volunteer at the Hands of God, an NGO dedicated to helping the disadvantaged.

Xing helped promote Xia's works on Sina Weibo, one of China's major Twitter-like microblog services, which has received positive feedback.

The NGO's founder, Tan Yao, has also been looking for galleries to exhibit Xia's paintings.

Hou, Xia's teacher, says the best way forward for Xia is to resort to art funds and art banks.

Despite the challenges, Xia's mother says she will never give up on her daughter, on whom she has showered love and care for 25 years.

She says she believes in the uniqueness of her daughter's works, through which one sees a colorful and wonderful world.

Contact the writers through mawei@chinadaily.com.cn.