Lotus 1965

Chang Dai-chien made this lotus painting in ink and colour on paper, and it feels like a study in contrasts. Look at how the inky blacks bleed into the watery blues and greys, it’s all about embracing the unpredictable. The texture created by the ink wash gives a real sense of depth, like the lotus is emerging from a misty pond. The dark, bold strokes of the leaves are balanced by the delicate, almost translucent petals. Notice how the artist uses the varying densities of ink to suggest form and shadow, particularly around the stamen of the lotus. You can see the trails of the brushstrokes, it's like the artist is letting us in on the secret, showing us the action of the painting. It makes me think of Helen Frankenthaler, especially her soak-stain paintings, where the color becomes one with the canvas. Both artists share that feeling of letting the medium lead the way, valuing intuition and chance over strict control. It’s a reminder that art is a conversation, an ongoing exploration of ideas and techniques, with no single right answer.