Lotus and Egrets 1996

Huang Yongyu painted 'Lotus and Egrets' in China using traditional ink and brush techniques. The lotus and the egret are traditional symbols, often used to represent purity and good fortune. This artwork invites us to consider the role of traditional imagery in modern China. Huang Yongyu came of age during a period of intense social and political upheaval, as the Chinese Communist Party consolidated power. Artists were now expected to serve the people and create works that promoted socialist values. Yet here he deploys traditional imagery that pre-dates the revolution. Huang Yongyu was criticised and even persecuted for works that deviated from socialist realism. However, the survival of traditional motifs suggests the resilience of cultural memory. We can research Chinese cultural history and the biography of the artist to understand the nuances of the artwork. 'Lotus and Egrets' encourages us to reflect on the complex relationship between artistic expression and social change.