As one of the first artists to use photography to interpret traditional Chinese painting, Hong Lei continues to probe the boundaries of this modern medium's ability to capture the spiritual, Taoist essence of his subject matter.

He has mounted solo exhibitions at Today Art Museum in Beijing, and the Zhu Qizhan Art Museum in Shanghai, and has participated in international group exhibitions such as the Chinese Contemporary Art Exhibition at the Pompidou Centre in Paris, the Berlin Art Expo, and recently at the Berkeley Art Museum. He lives in Changzhou.