Artwork Description

Title: Date
Artist: Shaoli Chen
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions: 29.9 x 28.3 in (76 x 72 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Date by Shaoli Chen is a vibrant and whimsical ink-and-watercolor composition portraying two stylish young women in a relaxed interior setting. One figure stands casually, hand in pocket and leaning slightly with a curious expression, while the other sits on a chair in a pink gingham skirt and yellow hat, accompanied by a plush toy beside her. This intimate, narrative-based scene captures a fleeting moment that feels both personal and theatrical, rendered in Chen’s signature illustrative style.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Drawing from traditional Chinese ink painting techniques and fusing them with a distinctly contemporary flair, Shaoli Chen employs bold outlines, decorative patterns, and playful figuration. The work’s stylized features and bright palette reflect the influence of modern comic illustration and folk art traditions. Chen’s focus on fashionable youth, paired with the ornamental interior elements like the floral vase and patterned flooring, further demonstrates his fascination with the expressive potential of everyday life.

3. Historical Context
Shaoli Chen’s art represents a distinctive turn in contemporary Chinese painting—moving away from monumental themes toward more nuanced, individualized portraits of modern life. Created by a senior figure within China’s academic art establishment, Date embraces a light-hearted, almost nostalgic look at feminine identity and youth culture. It exemplifies the increasing visibility of personal subject matter in Chinese art post-economic reform, amid a broader societal shift toward self-expression and lifestyle aesthetics.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper has been well-preserved with no notable discoloration, warping, or damage. Pigmentation remains fresh and vivid, and the ink lines are clear and unbroken. Minor natural undulations in the paper surface are consistent with traditional techniques and do not affect the integrity of the work.

6. Artistic Significance
Date exemplifies Shaoli Chen’s unique position in the landscape of Chinese contemporary art—where classical medium meets modern subject. His ability to tell stories through subtle gestures, expressions, and decorative detail makes this work resonate with charm and quiet complexity. For collectors of contemporary ink art and those drawn to the depiction of modern femininity and narrative figuration, Date offers both artistic refinement and cultural relevance.