ABOUT THE WORK

Lao’s calligraphic paintings manifest a characteristic oriental restraint not found in typical abstractionists. Using two or three colors, they are severely understated yet full of structural direction. The resulting images in the four works is influenced by the quantity of saturated watercolor Lao lets the brush take, then by the pressure, inclination, and direction he gives to the brush, producing thinner or bolder strokes. Eventually, the speed, accelerations, decelerations of Lao’s brush moves, and turns, giving the "spirit" to the ethereal images, by greatly influencing their final shapes. Mystery is a quality that has long been associated with Lao’s art and it pertains not least to his sense of composition. Lao’s almost calligraphic skills with the brush was influenced by Zen thought. For any particular piece of paper, the calligrapher in Lao has but one opportunity to create with the brush. The brush strokes cannot be corrected, and even a lack of confidence shows up in the work. The calligrapher in Lao is an artist of