He did not start professional art studies until 1971, when he was admitted into Northwest Normal University in Lanzhou, Gansu province. Though many people suggested that he should apply for medical studies, Jiang was determined to pursue his passion for art.

"You can only imagine how difficult it was back then. I had to go to university and study hard in order to leave that remote and backward place," Jiang says.

Despite his impoverished background, Jiang has deep affection for his homeland, which continues to be his main motivation when starting on a new art piece.

In 1982, Jiang had the opportunity to learn from Wang Wenfang, an artist from Beijing Fine Art Academy. Wang told him that he should paint objects that he is most familiar with and has a connection to. As his hometown of Pingliang lies on the Loess Plateau, he started touring around the area, trying to capture its essence.