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
Mo Xiong’s Flowers captures the overflowing vitality of nature through an electrifying palette of ink and watercolor on paper. The bouquet is housed in a sturdy, blue-handled vessel at center stage, erupting with dense clusters of orange, crimson, and white blossoms accented by sprigs of emerald green and violet. Loose yet intentional brushwork is complemented by splattered pigment, imparting a sense of dynamism to the floral arrangement. A pair of orange fruits rests delicately on the striped tabletop, grounding the composition with a poetic domestic touch.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
This work epitomizes Mo Xiong’s dynamic synthesis of Chinese ink traditions with the chromatic expressiveness of Western painting. The calligraphic brushstrokes, spontaneous splashes, and rhythmic layering of color channel both the spontaneity of xieyi (freehand) painting and the vibrant spirit of abstract watercolor. His bold interplay of texture and color aligns with the visual experimentation of contemporary Chinese painting while honoring the meditative sensibilities of classical brushwork.

3. Historical Context
Created during a period of remarkable transition in Chinese art, Flowers reflects the cultural and artistic fluidity of the post-1980s reform era. Mo Xiong’s academic and creative development at Nanjing University of the Arts placed him at the nexus of modern Chinese art education, where artists engaged with international styles while preserving traditional aesthetics. This work exemplifies the contemplative yet expressive output that emerged from this influential period of Chinese visual culture.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The surface remains intact and clean, with no visible damage to the paper. Pigmentation retains its saturation, with no fading, flaking, or water damage noted. No conservation intervention is currently recommended.

6. Artistic Significance
Mo Xiong’s recognition as both a leading member of the China Artists Association and a Distinguished Teacher at Nanjing University of the Arts reinforces his dual legacy as an innovator and educator. His still lifes are treasured for their lyrical fusion of Eastern symbolism and Western color sensibility. Flowers stands as a refined example of his mature style, offering collectors and connoisseurs a contemplative yet energetic vision of beauty rooted in cultural duality.