Artwork Description

Title: Flowers
Artist: Mo Xiong
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper mounted on cardboard
Dimensions: 19.7 x 19.7 in (50 x 50 cm)

Artwork Identification
In this luminous still life, Mo Xiong presents a ceramic vessel bursting with orange, violet, and white blossoms, accented by clusters of red berries. The bowl-shaped vase is decorated with intricate blue floral motifs, resting atop a soft lilac-toned table that curves with elegant contour against a warm golden background. The composition captures a rich interplay of color, form, and energetic gesture.

Artistic Style and Influences
Mo Xiong’s distinctive style is on full display in this work, where Western expressionist brushwork collides with the gentle lyricism of Chinese ink traditions. His choice of complementary colors and decorative porcelain forms reflect a continued dialogue between cultures—one where ornamental motifs and abstract spontaneity harmonize.

Historical Context
Executed in the spirit of modern hybridity, this painting exemplifies the ways in which contemporary Chinese artists reinterpret classical themes like flower-and-vase still life through a cosmopolitan lens. The floral subject, historically rich with symbolic meanings in both East and West, here becomes a site of vibrant experimentation.

Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
Artwork is in very good condition with vivid coloration and no visible signs of wear or restoration. Paper and mount remain structurally stable.

Artistic Significance
This square-format piece showcases Mo Xiong’s masterful sense of composition and his ability to breathe life into decorative forms. With its dazzling color palette and ornamental detail, this work exemplifies Mo’s role as a key figure in the evolution of cross-cultural painting practices in contemporary China.