The lyricism typical of Zhao Shao’ang’s works permeates Lotus in the Wind. The softness of the lotus petals and broken leaves fluttering in the wind suggest the vulnerability of life itself. Here the white colour is used to accentuate the lotus petals. A wet, misty background is created through light washes. A seal carved by the famous seal carver, Feng Kanghou (1901-83), on the lower right corner of the painting, betrays the self-confident character of Zhao. It reads “Because I am so, I so do” ("Wo zhi wei wo", "Zi you wo zai").Despite being born in 1905 in Guangdong province when the imperial examinations were abolished, Zhao Shao’ang received a traditional education at a private school in his hometown. He taught himself watercolour and copied images from the Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Paintings at an early age. At 15, he successfully enrolled himself into Gao Qifeng’s private Aesthetic Institute and received direct instruction from the Lingnan painting master.
