Let’s discover different elements of art in everyday life! 

A pioneer in Hong Kong’s New Ink Movement, Lui Shou-kwan’s work blends the abstract elements of Western art with Chinese ink wash painting, to create a Zen atmosphere through pure colour shades and ink. Rich and varied layers of ink feature in the work, with square and solid brush strokes dominating the lower half of the painting. These features portray the lotus leaves while drawing attention to the scarlet lotus flower, giving it liveliness as though it is burning like a flame – communicating an aura of epiphany and conveying profound imagery. 

A native of Guangzhou, Guangdong, Lui graduated from Guangzhou University. In 1948, he moved to Hong Kong. He studied painting from his father Lui Canming, devoting himself in his early years to mostly painting landscapes and flowers in the traditional style. Later, he turned to abstract painting. He developed ‘Zen Painting' by blending philosophical concepts of Taoism and Buddhism with Chinese ink painting techniques in a distinctive manner. He thus initiated the New Ink Painting Movement, which significantly impacted the Hong Kong art circle.

The red dot is inspired and derives from the lotus of Buddhism and is commonly found in Lui's works from the 1960s and 1970s. The broad strokes, dynamic lines and washes contrast with the striking expanses of white space. The intricate balance between black and white, substance and void are symbolic of the dynamic balance of the cosmic yin and yang. The lotus represents the purity and tranquillity that lies beyond the chaos of the world.


Zen_A day at HKMoA.jpg

Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA)

Zen painting

What geometric shapes can you associate the painting with?

Try dividing the painting into different sections and observe them. (for example: triangles, circles, squares, rectangles, dots, lines, and surfaces.) 

All items found in everyday life can be simplified into basic visual elements, including geometric shapes such as dots, lines, surfaces, circles, squares, and triangles. Explore the natural world and find where these visual elements are hidden. 

Find some colour paper, cut it into different geometric shapes, and use them to create flowers of different shapes and sizes.

Standards for Zen painting