Artwork Description

Title: Flowers
Artist: Mo Xiong
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper mounted on cardboard
Dimensions: 26.4 x 7.1 in (67 x 18 cm)

Artwork Identification
Rendered in ink and watercolor on cardboard, this vertically elongated painting features a dynamic bouquet of golden yellow, white, and orange blooms that rise energetically from an elegant vase with purple calligraphic patterns. Mo Xiong’s compositional flair animates the bouquet with bursts of green leaves and gestural specks that cascade upward, lending the still life a sense of motion and liveliness.

Artistic Style and Influences
Mo Xiong continues to marry Chinese visual idioms—particularly in the use of vessel forms and brush techniques—with Western abstraction and spontaneity. The splattered pigment technique, vivid palette, and vertical rhythm echo both contemporary expressionism and the linear grace of Chinese scroll painting. The vase bears decorative brushstrokes that subtly nod to classical Chinese porcelain motifs.

Historical Context
The floral subject remains a powerful symbol in Chinese culture, often associated with harmony, prosperity, and transience. By situating these traditional symbols within a Western watercolor technique and dynamic palette, Mo Xiong bridges cultural epochs, transforming a traditional still life into a meditative yet spirited artwork that speaks to modern sensibilities.

Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
The work is preserved in very good condition. No visible tears, discoloration, or warping to the paper or mounting. Colors remain vivid and well preserved.

Artistic Significance
This work is an exceptional example of Mo Xiong's vertically oriented still lifes. Its visual harmony, paired with spontaneous brushwork, makes it a compelling acquisition for collectors of contemporary Chinese art and cross-cultural expression. The balanced interplay of tradition and innovation marks this painting as an emblematic piece within the artist’s oeuvre.