Lotus Flowers

This work Lotus Flowers, created in 1952, is a great representative work of Zao Wou-ki’s “Klee period” during his studies in France, a wonderful embodiment of Zao’s exploration of abstract forms inspired by Paul Klee. In 1951, Zao Wou-ki met Paul Klee’s poetic abstract art by chance in Switzerland. Klee had been in Egypt exploring the primitive expressions in the caves from which he drew inspiration for his creations. This undoubtedly inspired Zao Wou-ki to draw from his own traditional culture and transcend it. Having gained a new understanding of the spirit of Chinese characters, Zao Wou-ki then creatively integrated elements of traditional calligraphy and ancient characters into his abstract works, gradually sublimating figurative motifs into abstract meanings, incorporating loose, unrestrained brushwork into his oil paintings.