Artist: Xiaoqi Li
Title: Trace
Date: 2008
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 150 x 150 cm
Condition Report: Good
Notes: Signed and dated lower right

Description:
A strikingly minimalist composition, Trace presents a stark yet evocative scene centered around a figure, a dog, and a wall. The artist employs a restricted palette dominated by black and dark sienna, with expressive brushstrokes defining the subjects. The bare canvas remains largely exposed, serving as both background and compositional element, reinforcing the stark contrast between negative space and the gestural brushwork. Loose, schematic framing and dynamic black strokes contribute to the raw, almost spontaneous energy of the piece, heightening its sense of abstraction and unexpected depth.

About the Artist:
Li Xiaoqi is a contemporary Chinese artist known for his expressive and minimalistic approach to painting. A graduate of the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts in 2005, Li has participated in numerous exhibitions, including the Traces: Idealistic Narrative Contemporary Art Exhibition and Imaginary World—a solo exhibition at Zhancan Art Center. Currently based in Huangjueping, Chongqing, he continues to explore themes of abstraction and narrative through his distinctive use of space and gestural brushwork.