As a native of Guangdong province, Guo Hanshen graduated from the Fine Art Department of National Taiwan Normal University in the 1970's and later studied ink brush painting at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He was a student of Liu Guosong in Taipei and as an artist, his painting took a distinctive turn towards spiritual symbolism. Guo presents the essence of the world and its natural phenomenon with traditional ink painting, from which the spirit of plain silence and harmony is shown. He is innovative towards the style and topic of paintings, and his creations are intrinsically-orienteering.

In Guo's paintings, unconventional medium other than brush pen are applied. He is inspired by the concept of root and water as he believe they are the bonanza of life. The natural phenomenon of snow, mist, cloud, and glow are always used to reflect the virtue, experience, belief, and philosophy in one's subconscious mind, and by combining with the snippets of daily lives, Mr. Guo lauds the holy nature so as to pay his respect towards life. This Lot: Pine Tree in the Snow, the land is covered with winter snow; The tree stems loom and struggle in between the mountain and rocks show a sense of perseverance by their steadfast roots; The vitality of the tree stems implies that people in adversity have to resort to the natural power of university, as only it will make things get through easier.

By showing the context of the sublime of nature, a new tradition of Chinese ink painting is created. And in such context of nature, the interdependence and cohesion of things culminate to a moment of eternal beauty.