Artwork Description

Title: African
Artist: Zhu Ming
Date: n.d.
Medium: Work on paper
Dimensions: 15.0 x 11.4 in (38 x 29 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
African is an evocative ink and color work on paper by Zhu Ming, depicting a group of five stylized figures rendered with minimal yet expressive brushwork. With its gestural simplicity and raw immediacy, the piece draws attention to interpersonal connection and cultural representation. The figures—likely referencing African women and children—are portrayed in a tightly grouped composition, their elongated forms and delicate detailing suggesting community, maternity, and heritage.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Zhu Ming, known primarily for his radical performance art, demonstrates here his painterly fluency with brush and ink. His use of negative space, spontaneous ink strokes, and earthy red accents recalls traditional Chinese literati painting, while the subject matter diverges into a global anthropological lens. This work, like others on paper by Zhu, reveals an interest in body language and social identity conveyed through stylization rather than realism.

3. Historical Context
Although Zhu Ming is internationally acclaimed for his performative works in 1990s Beijing’s East Village, his paintings offer a parallel exploration of cultural symbolism. African may be viewed in the context of the broader global exchange of imagery and ideas that marked China’s post-1990s art scene. The figures’ adornments, postures, and facial expressions convey a narrative that speaks to both cultural specificity and universal themes of family, womanhood, and resilience.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper shows a slight natural patina consistent with age, and the pigments remain vivid with no evidence of water damage, tears, or foxing.

6. Artistic Significance
While Zhu Ming is celebrated for his iconic balloon performances, African exemplifies his ability to translate emotive force into two-dimensional form. It reveals a quieter, more contemplative facet of his practice—one that engages with cross-cultural representation and the poetics of human form. This rare work on paper broadens the scope of Zhu Ming’s artistic narrative, making it a valuable addition to any contemporary Chinese art collection.