Artwork Description

Title: 38th Line between North and South Korea
Artist: Cao Jicai
Date: n.d.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 31.5 x 63 in (80 x 160 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
38th Line between North and South Korea is an oil on canvas by contemporary Chinese artist Cao Jicai, measuring 80 x 160 cm. The painting presents a surreal and satirical scene in which a group of near-identical, Smurf-like figures—distinguished by their iconic white hats—gather around a table orchestrating a miniature battlefield. The diorama represents the geopolitical division of the Korean Peninsula, complete with tanks, soldiers, helicopters, and trenches. With its cartoonish characters and toy-sized war theatre, the work explores the absurdity and detachment of military strategy in a hyper-stylized, almost childlike visual language.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Cao Jicai is known for his childlike visual vocabulary that belies the profound commentary beneath. This work exemplifies his signature blend of stylized figuration, simplified forms, and conceptual layering. The repetitive, doll-like figures and pristine staging recall both Pop Surrealism and elements of Political Pop—a movement prominent in post-1989 Chinese contemporary art. His clean, illustrative technique creates a tension between visual innocence and geopolitical complexity.

3. Historical Context
The painting draws from the ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, specifically the heavily guarded 38th parallel that divides North and South Korea. By depicting generals or diplomats as uniform, puppet-like characters engaged in a tabletop war game, Cao critiques the abstracted and detached nature of international conflict negotiation. This piece reflects broader themes in post-Cold War Asian political art, where identity, power, and ideology are negotiated through symbols and theatricality.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition, with no surface damage, cracking, or visible signs of restoration. The canvas is taut and the pigment remains vibrant. It is ready for exhibition or archival framing.

6. Artistic Significance
38th Line between North and South Korea stands as a poignant and visually accessible critique of military diplomacy and global power play. Cao Jicai’s ability to communicate serious issues through playful visual tropes offers a unique voice within the contemporary Chinese art scene. This piece exemplifies his philosophy of “capturing art with a child’s heart,” making it an important acquisition for collectors of conceptual realism, geopolitical commentary, and post-2000s Chinese contemporary painting.