traveled to the U.S. for the first time, presenting a gift of 22 color paintings to UNICEF. The United Nations later issued a "first day cover" stamp issue featuring Lou's work. In May 1993, she held an exhibition at the art gallery inside the main Mitsukoshi store in Nihonbashi, one of the most prestigious venues in Japan. Noted painter Matazo Kayama commented on the show, “Lou...leaves behind her reputation as a child prodigy and steps into a new role as a brilliant young female artist.” Another artist, Goro Koyama, called her “...a genius chosen from among 1.2 billion Chinese.” Thirties (1997-2006) In 1998, Lou donated approximately US$1.5 million to establish the Lou Zhenggang Art Education Development Fund in China. Between 1998 and 2002, she created 34 color silk screen designs in a series entitled “Life and Love” [Seimei to Ai, 生命と愛]. These were radical departures from traditional black-and-white calligraphy, not only due to the bold use of color, but also the abstract images she created. This series is particularly notable for its historical significance: In 2007, the National Museum of China, which had previously not included any abstract works by contemporary artists, changed its policy and decided to add all 34 of Lou’s color works to its permanent collection. Beginning in October 2004, Lou hosted her own program, “Calligraphy of the Heart” [Kokoro no Sho, 心の書] on TV Tokyo, a nationwide television network. In the program, she talked with various Japanese celebrities, each of whom had a special word, saying or personal motto that guided them. Lou would elegantly draw these characters and the two would discuss their meaning on camera. The program continued for almost three years, ending in 2006 just before Lou’s 40th birthday. Forties (2006~) As she turned 40, Lou seemed to find even greater strength and self-assurance. A 2007 Chinese TV program provided insight into this dramatic change in her development: "Lou Zhenggang says the aura of prodigy once hovered over her life like an unspeakable burden. Her own reading of history had persuaded her (that) prodigies live short lives. Lou expected to be dead by 40. After she turned forty, everything changed. She had survived the prodigy's burden. Now, after all these years, she sees herself as a normal person. And since that revelation, she's found the surest way to happiness is by following her own heart." Recent exhibitions Sino Group HQ, Hong Kong (2008)