Do you notice the red square seal that often appears in Wu Guanzhong’s paintings? It is a seal carved in relief with the character “Tu”. Tu (sow thistle) is a herb with a bitter flavour. Wu used it as a metaphor for his life — from experiencing war as a student, to coming upon the Cultural Revolution that broke out after his return to China from Paris. With all the sufferings and bitterness, he decided to use the character as his alias. Despite life’s challenges, Wu did not grow to be resentful. Through adversity, he was able to pursue truth and beauty in the world, and his experiences became an endless source of inspiration for his art.  If you were to give yourself a pseudonym, what would it be? What best describes your personality, emotions and values?

Standards for Activity: My pseudonym