Plant Series

Hoo Mojong was an important woman painter among the second-generation Chinese artists who studied in France. Born in Shanghai, she traveled abroad in her twenties, with her journeys covering Brazil, Spain, and France. In 2002, she returned to Shanghai to settle until her death. Her long and extensive cross-cultural experiences allowed her artistic expression to flow freely between Chinese and Western traditions. She absorbed the color sensibility and decorative compositions of Post-Impressionism while integrating the spiritual essence of Chinese art. Her floral creations began in the 1970s and are characterized by intense colors and simple imagery. Plant Series was created in 2000 before she settled back in Shanghai. The upright green stems and leaves contrast sharply with the orange-red petals, while the flat, monochromatic background eliminates any sense of depth, enhancing the flatness and decorative rhythm of the composition. The extraordinary size imparts a primordial divinity to the flowers, with naive yet sincere brushstrokes she conveys the primal force of life, reflecting her reflections on nature, life, and cultural identity during her global travels.