'Nude Girl17' by Shaoli Chen features a full-figure female nude seated in a cushioned chair. A white drapery flows around the model, connecting her with the other elements in the composition through its textured surface. The model's gaze towards the viewer establishes a direct connection. The patterned carpet on the floor serves as a grounding element due to its bold presence. At the model's feet, a potted flower and two yellow fruits add complexity and intrigue to the composition. The light, flat pastel background frames the scene and allows the main elements to stand out.

Details:
Artist: Shaoli Chen
Title: 'Nude Girl17'
Date: 2019
Medium: Oil painting on cardboard
Dimensions: 50 x 35 cm
Condition Report: Very good
Notes: Seal, signature, and date lower right

About the Artist:
Shaoli Chen, born in Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province, in 1950, is a professor at Nanjing University of the Arts and a master tutor. He graduated from the Fine Arts Department of Nanjing University of the Arts with a bachelor's degree in oil painting in 1976 and a master's degree in Arts in 1989. Chen is a member of the China Artists Association and an executive director of the Jiangsu Oil Painting Society.

Biography:
Born: 1950, Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province
Education:
1976: Bachelor's degree in oil painting from Nanjing University of the Arts
1989: Master's degree in Arts
Career:
Professor and master tutor at Nanjing University of the Arts
Member of China Artists Association
Executive Director of Jiangsu Oil Painting Society

Main Exhibitions and Awards:
1979: Oil painting "Silk Road" exhibited at the Fifth National Art Exhibition, collected by Jiangsu Provincial Art Museum.
1989: Oil painting "People's Condolences" participated in the Sixth National Art Exhibition and was published in "Jiangsu Pictorial" and "Xinhua Daily."
1991: Oil painting "Alleys in Southern Anhui" won the Excellent Work Award at the Jiangsu Provincial Art Exhibition.
2001: Oil painting "Miao Village Early Collection" won the Excellence Award at the Jiangsu Provincial Art Exhibition.
2005: Oil painting "Famille Flowers in a Vase" won the Excellence Award at the Jiangsu Provincial Art Exhibition.
2008: Oil painting "Post-80s" won the Gold Award at the China Hundred Jinling Painting Exhibition (oil painting).
2015: Solo Exhibition "Quietness and Scenery---Professor Chen Shaoli's New Oil Painting Exhibition" at Liuchen Art Museum (Nanjing).

Chronology of Major Exhibitors and Awards:
1979: Oil painting "Silk Road" at the Fifth National Art Exhibition (Beijing)
1995: Invitational Exhibition of Chinese and Vietnamese oil painters (Singapore)
1999: Oil painting "Yellow Rose" at the Chinese contemporary oil painting exhibition (Tianjin)
2014: Oil painting "Busy Farming" at the Jiangsu Provincial Art Exhibition celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China (Nanjing)
2016: Group exhibition "Walking around --- Chen Shaoli, Xing Jianjian, Wei Luan, Mo Xiong Painting Exhibition" at the National Art Museum (Nanjing)

In the current Chinese art scene, there is a strong emphasis on conceptual art and originality, leading many artists to distance themselves from real life by working in isolated studios. However, artists like Shaoli Chen have reflected on this trend and embraced sketching from life and plein air painting. This approach injects vitality and authenticity into their work, countering the stylization and conceptualization often seen in studio-produced art. By engaging directly with nature and life, these artists bring fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of presence to contemporary painting, enriching the overall artistic landscape.