Artwork Description

Title: Bestie
Artist: Shaoli Chen
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions: 27.6 x 27.6 in (70 x 70 cm)

Artwork Identification
Bestie by Shaoli Chen is a vibrant and intimate portrait of two stylish young women posed in a casual interior setting, accompanied by a small dog. Executed in ink and watercolor, the composition balances fine line work with expressive color, capturing both the individuality and closeness of the figures.

Artistic Style and Influences
Shaoli Chen blends traditional Chinese painting techniques with contemporary subject matter. Here, modern fashion, urban hairstyles, and body language infuse the classical medium with immediacy and relatability. The delicate textures of the rug, furniture, and background mural are rendered with Chen’s characteristic decorative flair, enriching the narrative context of the scene.

Historical Context
As a professor and master tutor at Nanjing University of the Arts, Chen represents a generation of artists bridging traditional forms with contemporary themes. Bestie reflects changing social dynamics in 21st-century China, particularly among urban youth, offering a lens into friendship, lifestyle, and cultural identity in the modern era.

Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition, with no visible damage or discoloration. The paper remains clean and structurally stable.

Artistic Significance
Bestie exemplifies Shaoli Chen’s ability to blend narrative charm with painterly sophistication. The relaxed posture of the figures, combined with intricate detail and expressive color, evokes a sense of familiarity and warmth—making this work a resonant and accessible example of modern Chinese ink painting.