Artwork Description

Mo Xiong
Flowers, n.d.
ink and watercolour on paper mounted on cardboard
26.4 x 7.1 in. (67 x 18 cm)

This vertically oriented composition presents a densely animated floral arrangement rising from a slender vase, its surface erupting in energetic passages of terracotta, azure, ivory, and olive. The blossoms appear to surge upward in rhythmic succession, their forms dissolving into splashes and drips that activate the entire pictorial field. The narrow format intensifies this sense of vertical propulsion, drawing the eye in a continuous upward movement.

The handling of ink and watercolour is deliberately fluid, oscillating between controlled brush articulation and spontaneous dispersal of pigment. This tension between structure and accident becomes central to the visual impact of the work, reinforcing its dynamic equilibrium between containment and release.

The composition reflects a synthesis of Chinese pictorial conventions—particularly the verticality associated with scroll formats—and Western gestural abstraction. Within this hybrid framework, the floral still life is reimagined as an active field of painterly energy rather than a static arrangement.

The work is in very good condition, with strong colour retention and stable support. Provenance: documentation can be provided upon request.