Artwork Description

Title: Gaze
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
In Gaze, Shaoli Chen portrays two poised young women standing beside a long-haired dog amidst a stylized rocky garden. The figures’ self-assured postures, thoughtful facial expressions, and fashionable outfits invite viewers into a moment of quiet observation—true to the painting’s Title:.

Artistic Style and Influences
Shaoli Chen’s ink and watercolor technique bridges classical Chinese brush painting with the aesthetics of contemporary urban youth. The outfits—featuring layered textures, graphic tees, pleated skirts, and relaxed outerwear—are depicted with playful detail, while the rocky backdrop and stylized plant life nod to literati painting traditions. The gaze of each subject, including the dog’s, contributes to a subtle but compelling emotional tension.

Historical Context
As a professor and leading voice in Chinese contemporary painting, Chen consistently explores generational identity and modern style. Gaze reflects the dual nature of modern life: rooted in tradition yet expressive of individualism. The confident directness of the figures alludes to a new visual language of femininity and presence in 21st-century China.

Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition, with stable paper, strong pigment retention, and no visible wear or discoloration.

Artistic Significance
Gaze captures a moment that feels at once cinematic and deeply personal. Shaoli Chen’s sensitive handling of expression, gesture, and context allows the viewer to encounter the figures not only as fashionable subjects, but also as participants in a silent exchange—anchoring this work as a vivid and emotionally nuanced example of modern Chinese ink painting.