In Bloom
Mo Xiong
Artwork Details
Artwork Description
Title: In Bloom
Artist: Mo Xiong
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions: diameter 13 in (33 cm)
Artwork Identification
In Bloom is a striking circular composition by Mo Xiong, rendered in vibrant ink and watercolor on a saturated red background. A radiant bouquet of blooming florals bursts outward from the center, their vivid pinks, oranges, and lush greens radiating with life. The round format enhances the dynamic motion of the composition, echoing traditional Chinese fan or medallion aesthetics while elevating it with modern flair.
Artistic Style and Influences
Mo Xiong’s unmistakable visual language comes to the fore in this piece—melding expressive brushwork and splattered pigments with meticulously rendered botanical forms. The use of the red ground is a nod to auspiciousness in Chinese visual culture, while the energetic palette and free-flowing lines recall post-impressionist and expressionist traditions in Western art. The work stands at the intersection of cultural symbolism and painterly spontaneity.
Historical Context
Floral paintings hold a revered place in Chinese art, symbolizing virtue, renewal, and harmony. In In Bloom, Mo Xiong reinterprets this tradition through a contemporary lens, invigorating time-honored themes with his signature stylistic freedom. The circular format also evokes the cyclical nature of life—a motif deeply embedded in both Daoist and Buddhist thought.
Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.
Condition and Conservation
The work is in very good condition. The paper is stable, and the pigments retain their original saturation. There are no visible imperfections, creases, or restoration marks.
Artistic Significance
A captivating synthesis of classical form and modern color dynamics, In Bloom exemplifies Mo Xiong’s gift for breathing new vitality into tradition. The work is both a visual celebration and a philosophical meditation, making it a compelling piece for collectors seeking art that bridges cultural and temporal boundaries.