Artwork Description

Title: Girl 3
Artist: Shaoli Chen
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions: 26.8 x 26.8 in (68 x 68 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
This delicately rendered work, Title:d Girl 3, by Chinese artist Shaoli Chen, exemplifies the artist’s skillful synthesis of traditional brushwork with contemporary subject matter. Executed in ink and watercolor on paper, the composition presents two fashionably dressed young women standing in a lush, stylized landscape with exaggerated natural forms. Their vibrant clothing—ranging from a lemon-yellow skirt and turquoise blouse to fuchsia leggings and a lavender scarf—pops against the muted gray stone and foliage, creating a subtle dialogue between old and new visual languages.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Shaoli Chen’s work is rooted in the classical Chinese painting tradition, yet reinterpreted through a distinctly modern lens. His figures, often urban and stylish, contrast humorously and poignantly with the traditionally rendered backgrounds reminiscent of literati painting. Chen’s linework echoes the finesse of Gongbi technique, while his lively palette and exaggerated facial features draw influence from caricature and fashion illustration, producing a hybrid aesthetic that is both refined and playful.

3. Historical Context
Emerging during a period when Chinese artists began to assert new modes of expression following the Cultural Revolution, Chen’s work responds to evolving social identities and the rise of youth culture in urban China. This piece, though undated, reflects the shifting paradigms of femininity, fashion, and self-expression in contemporary Chinese society—framed through the enduring medium of ink painting. The juxtaposition of ancient pictorial traditions with modern-day figures is emblematic of broader dialogues within post-20th-century Chinese art.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper is clean and stable, with no visible tears, creases, or foxing. The ink and watercolor pigments remain vibrant and well-preserved, with no evidence of fading or discoloration. Professionally stored and handled.

6. Artistic Significance
Shaoli Chen is recognized as a leading figure in the revitalization of Chinese figure painting, particularly through his unique portrayals of modern life. His ability to integrate fashionable, everyday subjects into a classical visual framework has earned him critical acclaim. As a professor and executive within China's major art institutions, Chen continues to influence younger generations of painters. Girl 3 stands as a testament to his innovative approach—balancing wit, nostalgia, and social commentary in a singular artistic vision.