LAO LIANBEN (Filipino, B. 1948)

A contemporary abstract force is Lao Lianben, whose minimalist yet evocative paintings are a wellspring of Oriental inspiration. His monochromatic compositions display a meditational quietude, and an elegantly refined aesthetic derived from the brushwork of expressionist calligraphy. Zen Garden (Lot 3454) is a sophisticated and refined example of Lao's series of paintings which displays distinctly Oriental influences. It is a complex work dwelling on the use of symbolic space. The ink strokes around the edge of the canvas can be conceived to represent rock formations within a Japanese garden, or perhaps falling leaves; fringing the empty heart of the canvas as a tranquil space of contemplation and reflection. Lao's work stands apart from other artists through his resolute constancy towards abstract visualizations, and the lucid clarity of their resulting expression.