Artwork Description

Title: Girl 4
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
In Girl 4, Shaoli Chen presents a nuanced and expressive ink and watercolor portrait of two young women rendered against an abstracted natural landscape. The figure on the left, adorned in a traditional pink floral qipao with a yellow sash, stands in poised contrast to her companion, whose asymmetrical orange top and loose trousers reflect a casual, urban sensibility. Executed with fluid linework and soft washes, the composition captures a moment of quiet interaction, marked by subtle gestures and sartorial detail.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Shaoli Chen’s hallmark style—a fusion of classical Chinese painting with distinctly modern figures—shines through in this work. Drawing from the tradition of Gongbi (meticulous brush technique), Chen adds a whimsical touch by exaggerating the expressions and proportions of his subjects. His aesthetic sensibility also evokes elements of manhua (Chinese comic art), blended seamlessly with the elegant pictorial rhythms of traditional landscape painting, resulting in a signature hybrid style.

3. Historical Context
The tension between tradition and modernity is a central theme in late 20th- and early 21st-century Chinese visual culture. Created in an era when rapid urbanization and changing social roles began reshaping Chinese identity, Girl 4 serves as both a playful and poignant commentary. The juxtaposition of a woman in a classical qipao with another in contemporary attire reflects not only fashion contrasts but also shifting cultural values—making the work a visual time capsule of generational transformation.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper surface is intact, with no signs of tears, stains, or foxing. The pigments retain their vibrancy, and the ink outlines remain crisp. The work has been well preserved under archival conditions and shows no signs of previous restoration.

6. Artistic Significance
Shaoli Chen’s oeuvre is celebrated for its innovative approach to figuration and narrative within the framework of Chinese ink painting. A respected professor and leader in the Chinese art community, Chen has played a vital role in shaping contemporary figure painting. Girl 4 exemplifies his capacity to infuse classical media with contemporary themes—offering both artistic merit and market appeal to collectors with an interest in modern Chinese ink art.