Hong Zhu An
Lotus in the Tranquility Lake, 2012
Ink on Paper
105 x 105 cm
SOLD
Words, like a waterfall, cascade down in intricate vertical streams, forming a translucent screen that masks the spectral motif of the lotuses - which are constructed by loose, emotive brush strokes. The lotus flower is a prominent icon in Chinese culture and Buddhism, signifying purity that is born out of mire and is a heavily featured image in Chinese ink paintings both ancient and contemporary. In this work, Hong uses a wet-on-wet technique resulting in soft, diffused lines that seem to be floating in a layer of mist. The text integrates itself into the flattened, two-dimensional plane, merging and becoming one with the landscape, alluding perhaps to the important process of achieving a tranquil, meditative state of mind. This work is part of Hong's more recent series of paintings, featuring an increase in the prominence of calligraphy and text.