From "Mao's Pigtails" (there are several versions) came "Double Mao". This work is supposed to represent the transmission of mind. Here we see two 'Mao's' (also from a still life). We find the picket sign, a Renaissance cloud complete with rain, an art book opened to a page with Matisse paintings. And there are the wind chimes, a string of colored lights and a Roksu (the bib like thing which Buddhists wear after they have taken a teacher and been given a name-they are usually black patchwork to represent rags-the one in this painting is bright colored squares of silk). "Double Mao" was renamed "Double Wu" because my father insisted that no one would understand the "Mao" explanation, and that Mao was a 'bad' man. So, "Double Wu"...which of course sounds like the letter "W"-is silly! "WU" is also the Chinese word for the Japanese word "MU", which is the answer to the Zen koan "Does a dog have Buddha nature?" It means 'not' literally but in reference to the koan, the sound is of more importance. "Mao" (meow) means "cat" in Chinese! "Double Wu" has that same technique found in "Hysterical Space". Another larger work that followed this same idea is called "Hokko Zammai" (still unfinished) which is the name of a short Buddhist verse. Another interesting work is "Daughter of the Yellow River" which is an illustration of a modern Chinese short story. (found in the book CHINESE WESTERN) The illustration has been rendered in Buddhist terms.

Hoyko Zammai Oil - Unfinished