Artwork Description

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

In this richly chromatic still life, radiant orange blossoms emerge from a stylised ceramic vase set against a violet ground, the composition grounded by a vividly patterned textile surface. The arrangement is animated by dispersed accents of purple, pink, and green, which traverse the surface in a loosely orchestrated visual rhythm. The result is a composition that balances decorative density with spatial openness.

The artist’s handling of ink and watercolour demonstrates a fluid integration of expressive gesture and controlled chromatic layering. The work’s surface oscillates between density and transparency, with brushwork that evokes both painterly immediacy and deliberate compositional structure.

While rooted in the tradition of floral still life, the work reconfigures the genre through a contemporary lens, introducing elements of domestic interiority through the patterned textile and heightened chromatic contrasts. The floral subject becomes a vehicle for exploring visual exuberance and ornamental synthesis.

The work is in very good condition. Colours remain vivid and the paper support is stable. Provenance: documentation can be provided upon request.