Artwork Description

Mo Xiong
Flowers, n.d.
ink and watercolour on paper
25.6 x 15.4 in. (65 x 39 cm)

This exuberant vertical still life features a tall earthen-toned vase from which a profusion of blossoms emerges in saturated hues of scarlet, cobalt, and ivory. The composition is structured around a strong vertical axis, amplifying the upward thrust of the floral arrangement. A muted grey-green ground and patterned table surface provide compositional contrast and visual grounding.

The artist’s technique combines gestural brushwork, layered pigment application, and areas of structured patterning. These elements create a dynamic tension between spontaneity and order, resulting in a surface that is both rhythmically animated and compositionally coherent.

The work reflects a contemporary reinterpretation of classical still life traditions, engaging with Chinese xieyi brush aesthetics while incorporating colouristic strategies associated with Western modernism. The result is a hybrid pictorial language that foregrounds expressive energy.

The work is in very good condition, with no visible deterioration. Colours remain vivid and stable. Provenance: documentation can be provided upon request.