Artist: Xiaoqi Li
Title: Right to Speak
Date: 2011
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 90 x 110 cm
Condition Report: Good
Notes: Signed and dated lower right

Description:
A contemplative and subtly charged composition, Right to Speak depicts two figures in black garments positioned in the foreground. One conceals a necklace with a cross in their hand, while the other gazes thoughtfully, evoking a sense of introspection and quiet tension. The background remains minimalistic, reinforcing the stark contrast between figures and space. Xiaoqi Li employs a restrained palette of black and white, punctuated by expressive modulated washes of orange. His loose, textured brushwork and dynamic linework create a compelling interplay between abstraction and form, heightening the psychological depth of the scene.

About the Artist:
Li Xiaoqi is a contemporary Chinese artist known for his evocative, minimalistic compositions that balance abstraction with narrative depth. A graduate of the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts in 2005, Li has exhibited widely, including in Traces: Idealistic Narrative Contemporary Art Exhibition and his solo show Imaginary World at Zhancan Art Center. Currently based in Huangjueping, Chongqing, he continues to explore themes of identity, expression, and symbolism through his distinctive approach to painting.