Artwork Description

Title: Figure
Artist: Sang Jianguo
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 33.5 x 63 in (85 x 160 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Figure is a large-format ink and color painting on paper by contemporary Chinese artist Sang Jianguo, measuring 85 x 160 cm. The composition features two young women dressed in colorful, distinctly modern streetwear—headphones, sneakers, layered skirts, and a plush toy bag—rendered in a meticulously detailed style that bridges classical Chinese figure painting and 21st-century urban life. The backdrop of blossoming branches adds a poetic contrast to the fashionable, technology-connected subjects.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Sang Jianguo’s work exemplifies a contemporary revitalization of gongbi (meticulous brushwork) painting, here applied to urban youth culture. Drawing on traditional Chinese techniques, the artist maintains fine linework and subtle color gradation while infusing the subject matter with pop-cultural relevance. The juxtaposition of heritage painting methods with distinctly modern iconography—graphic T-shirts, Converse sneakers, and portable music players—offers a clever and affectionate take on generational identity and shifting aesthetics.

3. Historical Context
Paintings like Figure reflect a broader movement within Chinese contemporary art where tradition is not abandoned but reimagined through the lens of the present. Sang Jianguo, born in 1957, belongs to a generation of artists who witnessed the rapid transformation of Chinese society—from collectivist austerity to globalized consumer culture. This work captures the essence of that transformation through its careful attention to youthful style, body language, and casual connectivity in contrast with the symbolic backdrop of spring blossoms—a time-honored symbol of renewal.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The pigments are strong, and the paper is stable with no visible signs of damage, foxing, or repair. The painting is unrolled and properly preserved, suitable for framing or exhibition under archival conditions.

6. Artistic Significance
Figure is a compelling example of how contemporary Chinese ink artists recontextualize traditional methods to reflect modern life. Sang Jianguo’s approach combines visual humor, cultural critique, and technical virtuosity. This piece offers a unique snapshot of evolving identity, style, and gender roles within an urbanized, media-saturated China. For collectors interested in contemporary figurative painting and cross-temporal artistic dialogue, Figure presents a vibrant and thoughtful addition.