Flower No.1 (Chrysanthemum), 2008 by Huang Xu.
The primary focus of interest in this depiction of a chrysanthemum flower lies in the quilled structure of the petals and the patterns that are formed as they curve in different directions. The flower's supporting structure is concealed by what the photographer calls 'the immersion of the flower into a void of blackness.' He created his 'Flower' series in 2008 to explore 'mortality, seduction, vulnerability and contradiction.' His choice of plants reflects Confucian symbolism, in which the noble flowers - chrysanthemum, orchid, bamboo and plumb blossom, also know as the 'Four Gentlemen' - symbolises the qualities of a scholar. Chrysanthemum, which blooms in the Autumn, stands for the ability to withstand adversity; the orchid symbolises both humility and nobility; bamboo represents tolerance and adaptability; while plumb blossom stands for inner beauty.