Night-blooming cereus

Artist Bio
Chao Shao-an (1905 – 1998), a native of Panyu, Guangdong province. He studied painting at the Gao Qifeng (1889 – 1933) Private College of Art. In 1930, he founded the Lingnan Art Studio in Guangzhou. In 1948, Chao settled in Hong Kong and re-established the Lingnan Art Studio to teach students. He excelled in painting landscapes, animals, flowers, insects and fish, and was particularly noted for painting cicadas. Chao is a representative painter of the second-generation artists of the Lingnan School. His works are widely exhibited in Hong Kong and overseas. He was awarded Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from the University of Hong Kong (1994).
Description
The artist first casually renders the long and knotted leaves before sketching in the flowers, which are comprised of elaborate but organised and spirited brush strokes. The dexterity of the artist’s wrist is here evident. Painting leaves in ink as adornment to the flowers had become a trademark in Chao’s style. The long-horned beetle crawling on the blooming flower is done in dark ink, corresponding to the tones of the leaves. The painting looked as if the cereus came to life, blooming in the night and releasing a strong, intoxicating perfume.
—Collection of Hong Kong Heritage Museum
More information
Hong Kong Heritage Museum