Zhou Sicong was born in 1939. As a prominent and influential Chinese artist during the mid to late 20th Century, Zhou was perhaps one of the first to express deep concern for, and doubt over, the fate of Chinese women from a feminist perspective. She once said, ""I always feel that women are too tired, without any rest." In her painting, 'Yi women', Zhou depicts her concerns by portraying two women of Yi ethnicity carring almost overbearing heavy bundles of firewood - a recurring theme in her work. Other more abstract pieces demonstrate Zhou Sicongs mastery of ink and her innovative ink techniques. Zhou died in 1996 at the age of 57.

Above: Zhou Sicong, Lotus Pool