“Magnolia” Horizontal Scroll

Magnolia flowers are large, which suits a horizontal format. I set the branch first, then placed the blossoms in groups, one group at a time.

The petals are white pigment with a touch of rouge — a little deeper on the reverse, left white on the face, so the form reads by contrast.

My father named the title written at the right end; he said the branch looked as though it had grown out of an old wall.

A flower painted on paper never has to fade.

— Gao Xinuo · studio note