Born in China in 1921 and raised amid a period of cultural rejuvenation, Lalan, also known as Xie Jinglan (謝景蘭), found her artistic fulfillment in France as a versatile artist. Upon marrying Zao Wou-ki, she relocated to Paris in 1948, where she encountered Art Informel and lyrical abstraction. Beyond painting, Lalan delved into electronic music composition and choreography, asserting her autonomy following her divorce from Zao. Her union with Marcel Van Thienen, her second husband, enriched her artistic voyage. She seamlessly merged painting, music, and dance, embodying the concept of integrated art; this awarded her a Knighthood in the Order of Arts and Letters. Her artworks, steeped in Taoist philosophy and abstract dynamism, mirror her exploration of cultural interchange and artistic disciplines.

Lalan's passing in 1995 left behind a legacy of work where movement, sound, and color intertwine, reflecting a life where art transcended cultural confines. In her words, "I never tired of painting the beautiful things in life, the people who don’t make it, who have problems... No. I wanted to make something beautiful that one would want to spend time looking at."