Flowers
Mo Xiong
Artwork Details
Artwork Description
Title: Flowers
Artist: Mo Xiong
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions: 30.7 x 42.9 in (78 x 109 cm)
Artwork Identification
This horizontal still life composition by Mo Xiong presents an explosion of cool-toned botanical forms emerging from a delicately painted porcelain vase. The blue, violet, and green tones dominate the composition, punctuated by vivid red-orange blossoms that anchor the viewer’s gaze. Two citrus fruits placed on the table offer a subtle contrast of form and color, grounding the otherwise effervescent floral arrangement.
Artistic Style and Influences
Mo Xiong’s signature layering of brushwork, splashes, and drips invites comparison to both Chinese ink traditions and Western expressionism. This piece exemplifies his mastery of atmospheric texture—fine sprays of pigment hover like mist across the page—while the forms of grasses and blooms remain distinctly stylized, bordering abstraction. The influence of traditional xieyi (“freehand”) brushwork is evident, but reframed through a distinctly contemporary palette.
Historical Context
Executed during a mature period of Mo Xiong’s oeuvre, this work is emblematic of a time when Chinese artists increasingly embraced transnational stylistic hybridity. While rooted in centuries-old aesthetics, Mo’s large-scale florals mark a confident expansion into global visual discourse, aligning with China’s broader cultural opening and artistic cross-pollination in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.
Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The pigments remain vivid and stable, and the paper shows no signs of deterioration or handling wear.
Artistic Significance
This piece represents a compelling example of Mo Xiong’s celebrated technique, harmonizing emotional spontaneity with precise visual orchestration. The balanced push between East and West, tradition and modernity, solidifies its value as both a visual delight and a meaningful contribution to the broader narrative of contemporary Chinese art.