Artwork Description

Title: Flowers and Birds
Artist: Mo Xiong
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions: 53.5 x 26.8 in (136 x 68 cm)

Artwork Identification
This vertically composed ink and watercolor painting by Mo Xiong, Title:d Flowers and Birds, showcases the artist’s signature exuberance and delicacy. A single perched bird with vibrant plumage emerges from a dense cascade of foliage and blossoms, rendered with intricate brushwork and controlled splatter effects. The dynamic upward movement and jewel-toned palette, anchored against a glowing peach-hued backdrop, lend the composition a theatrical vitality.

Artistic Style and Influences
Mo Xiong’s aesthetic draws upon classical Chinese bird-and-flower painting traditions, yet is reinterpreted through the lens of Western modernism. The work incorporates expressive brushstrokes and a vivid use of color reminiscent of Fauvism and Abstract Expressionism, resulting in a dynamic interplay between traditional ink techniques and contemporary painterly gestures. The delicate rendering of flora and fauna evokes the poetic spirit of the Chinese literati school, while the chromatic intensity reflects a more globalized sensibility.

Historical Context
Emerging from the post-Cultural Revolution era, Mo Xiong’s work epitomizes the artistic reawakening and cross-cultural engagement that defined Chinese contemporary painting from the late 20th century onward. Educated at Nanjing University of the Arts during a time of renewed artistic experimentation, Mo Xiong was among the new generation of artists who synthesized national heritage with global innovation—an approach that continues to define his oeuvre.

Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The pigments remain vivid and stable, with no evident loss or deterioration. The paper shows minor signs of handling, consistent with age and medium, but retains excellent structural integrity and surface vitality.

Artistic Significance
A revered Member of the China Artists Association and Distinguished Teacher at the Nanjing University of the Arts, Mo Xiong is widely acknowledged for his contributions to contemporary Chinese painting. Flowers and Birds exemplifies his dual mastery of technique and innovation, resonating both with connoisseurs of traditional Chinese painting and collectors attuned to global trends. This work not only reflects Mo’s artistic legacy but offers an exceptional opportunity for collectors to acquire a piece by one of China’s most distinctive modern painters.