Limited Masterworks Wall Painting Happy Birthday Turtle

Chinese artist Zhuoyu Hou is often inspired by the traditions of her Far Eastern homeland in the work she does for MEISSEN. The idea for the present extraordinary scheme came to her from a book written by her child, however. It tells of how all the sea creatures swim up to the surface to celebrate Grandad Turtle's 100th birthday. No sooner had Zhuoyu Hou read it than "Happy Birthday, Turtle" was born. This ancient animal is emblematic of longevity and endurance in many cultures. In China, a blessing is often given on the birthdays of the elderly that can be translated as "Long life, hundred years" or "A long life full of health". Our wall painting depicts a powerful white whirlpool raising a total of 36 species of sea creature, from clownfish to hammerhead sharks, up from the deep blue sea to the reflectant surface of the water. As the sun slowly sets, the turtle, that calm ruler of the seas, emerges from the waves. The golden sunlight frames the majestic animal like a radiant birthday crown. A special silk-screen technique lends uncanny depth to animals now concealed in the background, now directly visible. This, then, is a work of art that not only touches the senses but would also stimulate us to afford better protection to the unique, bewitching realm these sea creatures inhabit.