One's instinctive assumption about Shui's painting was that she would have drawn a beautiful cherry blossom tree whose petals would be showering down.
But it turned out to be quite different.
The painting Falling petals depicted a mesmerizing moment of cherry blossom petals defying gravity, floating upward as if pulled by an invisible force. Each petal, painted in pastels of delicate pink and faded rose, appeared to be rewinding its journey.
The petals spiraled and swirled, caught in a gentle upward current that led toward a hidden light beyond the canvas as if representing an unreachable destination. The dark, muted background contrasts created a poignant sense of longing. Some petals appeared crisped and vivid, while others were almost translucent.
