In 1987, I visited China on a cultural exchange trip, visiting Chengdu, situated in the center of the country and considered the gateway to Tibet. I found it to be a place of transition, where high rise apartment buildings towered next to oxen pulling the plow in rice fields. Like everywhere in China, ancient ways were slowly giving way to progress.

In Chengdu, under a huge statue of Mao, I saw an inspirational sign written in large white characters, peeling from age. The character I painted behind the man means "rise" and the complete message is "Rise with Force and Spirit."

I placed this gentle, elderly man under the slogan to create a striking contrast and reflect the challenges facing China today. - JB