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)

1. Artwork Identification
This elegant composition, Title:d Flowers, is a rich exploration of natural beauty rendered in ink and watercolor on paper by esteemed contemporary Chinese artist Mo Xiong. The artwork features two vases overflowing with blooms and foliage, captured in expressive washes and intricate linear gestures. Delicate coral, violet, and white blossoms are interwoven with a dynamic tapestry of greenery, creating a visual crescendo that spills across the paper with energy and grace.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Mo Xiong’s approach to painting harmoniously unites Eastern brushwork tradition with Western artistic fluidity. This piece demonstrates the artist’s hallmark aesthetic—spontaneous yet refined, with bold chromatic contrasts and calligraphic linework. The painterly layers and soft background gradients reflect the influence of modern watercolor techniques, while the controlled bursts of ink suggest the meditative discipline of classical Chinese painting. The result is a deeply personal idiom that bridges cultures.

3. Historical Context
Mo Xiong came of age as an artist during the 1980s, a period of renewed cultural and artistic openness in China. His education at Nanjing University of the Arts positioned him at the heart of a national renaissance in fine art, during which Chinese artists sought to engage with global dialogues while reasserting their heritage. Still lifes such as Flowers exemplify the introspective yet forward-looking spirit of this transitional era, balancing technical virtuosity with emotional resonance.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper is clean and stable, with no signs of foxing, creasing, or moisture damage. The pigments remain vivid, with no evidence of fading or discoloration. The work is well-preserved and requires no conservation treatment at this time.

6. Artistic Significance
Mo Xiong’s significance within the contemporary Chinese art scene is well-established through his academic stature and creative innovation. As both a Member of the China Artists Association and a Distinguished Teacher at Nanjing University of the Arts, he has shaped both the aesthetic discourse and the training of new generations of artists. Works like Flowers are emblematic of his ability to infuse classical subjects with modern vitality, securing his place in the evolving narrative of East Asian art history.