Flowers
Mo Xiong
Artwork Details
Artwork Description
Title: Flowers
Artist: Mo Xiong
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper mounted on cardboard
Dimensions: 25.6 x 15.4 in (65 x 39 cm)
Artwork Identification
This vibrant still life composition by Mo Xiong features a lush floral bouquet, arranged in a tall, luminous orange vase that commands the foreground. The flowers—rendered in bold tones of magenta, crimson, violet, and white—erupt in a whirlwind of expressive brushwork, forming a dense canopy of botanical vitality. Soft drips, splashes, and detailed ink accents lend the painting an almost kinetic energy.
Artistic Style and Influences
True to Mo Xiong’s signature style, this work merges Chinese ink traditions with the energetic flair of Western watercolor and abstraction. The explosive color palette and compositional freedom reflect the artist’s mastery of cross-cultural aesthetics. The use of negative space and fine linework recall literati brush painting, while the color saturation and layering techniques echo post-Impressionist and modernist Western influences.
Historical Context
In Chinese art history, vases with flowers symbolize peace, prosperity, and beauty. Mo Xiong revitalizes this cultural motif through a contemporary lens, enriching it with new color sensibilities and emotional expression. His work reflects a generation of artists who have embraced artistic pluralism while remaining rooted in heritage.
Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.
Condition and Conservation
The painting is in very good condition, with no visible damage, wear, or fading. The pigments remain bright and saturated, and the cardboard support is stable.
Artistic Significance
This piece stands as a powerful example of Mo Xiong’s accomplished synthesis of tradition and innovation. The vibrant interplay of brushwork and color animates the still life genre with exuberance and depth. It is a remarkable addition to any collection focused on modern Chinese art or the fusion of Eastern and Western visual languages.