Artwork Description

Title: Belt and Road Initiative
Artist: Cao Jicai
Date: 2017
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 31.5 x 63 in (80 x 160 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Belt and Road Initiative is a large-scale oil on canvas created in 2017 by contemporary Chinese artist Cao Jicai. Measuring 80 x 160 cm, the painting features a group of Smurf-like figures—easily recognizable by their iconic white hats and uniform blue skin—gathered around a long table, busily organizing models of trains, ships, cranes, and camels. The whimsical characters appear to orchestrate global development projects with childlike glee, referencing China's ambitious international infrastructure campaign through an absurdist, toy-box lens.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Cao Jicai is known for his unique blend of conceptual realism, social commentary, and visual play. His figures draw direct inspiration from the Smurfs, whose innocent and uniform appearance becomes a tool for critique and humor. The artist employs a clean, illustrative style that borders on animation, reminiscent of Political Pop and Chinese Cynical Realism, while integrating influences from Western Pop Art. His painterly precision, bold color use, and theatrical staging highlight the tension between innocence and authority, fantasy and propaganda.

3. Historical Context
Painted in 2017, the work references China’s Belt and Road Initiative—a global development strategy involving infrastructure investment in countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Cao Jicai transforms this ambitious political agenda into a surreal and almost naïve boardroom scene, where cartoonish figures conduct the affairs of global trade and diplomacy as if playing with building blocks. The piece reflects China’s growing role on the world stage, while simultaneously questioning the overly simplified narratives presented to the public and the performative nature of state-led planning.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The canvas is taut and the surface shows no signs of wear, flaking, or restoration. The color is crisp and uniform, with strong contrast throughout. It is suitable for archival framing and immediate display.

6. Artistic Significance
Belt and Road Initiative is a quintessential example of Cao Jicai’s conceptual vision and visual wit. His use of cartoonish motifs to engage with serious socio-political themes has earned him a unique place in contemporary Chinese painting. By merging childlike aesthetics with geopolitical symbolism, Cao creates works that are both accessible and deeply thought-provoking. This painting will appeal to collectors interested in narrative-driven, culturally nuanced art that interrogates contemporary power structures through playful subversion.