Art beat ... finger on the pulse

Beijing

Artist's embrace of the lotus

Zhou Sicong (1939-96) is known for her realistic paintings, such as People and Premier Zhou and Mineworkers. An exhibition at Beijing Fine Art Academy's gallery, however, offers viewers a rare chance to appreciate her incredible lotus paintings. Zhou suffered from arthritis in the 1980s, which caused deformity in her hands and feet. Unable to concentrate on meticulous brushwork, she had to shift to a more abstract style, which led to many lotus-themed creations. She departed from the traditional approach and imported into the paintings an easy-going attitude toward life she embraced after being tortured by illness.