Flowers and Birds
Mo Xiong
Artwork Details
Artwork Description
Title: Flowers and Birds
Artist: Mo Xiong
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions: 47.2 x 23.2 in (120 x 59 cm)
1. Artwork Identification
Flowers and Birds is a vibrant and expressive ink and watercolor painting on paper by acclaimed contemporary artist Mo Xiong. Measuring 120 x 59 cm, the work presents an exuberant composition of blooming flowers and a single bird in flight. Splashes of saturated color—yellows, purples, oranges, and aquamarines—intermingle with bold brushstrokes and layered washes, creating a dynamic visual field that balances spontaneity with compositional harmony. The bird's motion animates the bouquet, heightening the sense of energy and natural vitality.
2. Artistic Style and Influences
Mo Xiong is renowned for his innovative synthesis of traditional Chinese subject matter and modern Western techniques. In Flowers and Birds, he combines the expressive fluidity of xieyi (freehand brushwork) with color theory and abstraction more typical of Western watercolor traditions. His brushwork recalls the gestural boldness of Zhang Daqian while the vibrancy and chromatic layering point to his deep understanding of modern color dynamics. This fusion allows Mo to create works that are simultaneously grounded in heritage and strikingly contemporary.
3. Historical Context
Born in 1960 in Changzhou, with roots in Shaoxing, Mo Xiong belongs to a generation of artists who came of age in a newly reforming China, where experimentation and cross-cultural exchange began to thrive. After completing his fine arts degree at Nanjing University of the Arts in 1986, he remained deeply involved in academic and national art institutions. Flowers and Birds reflects his position as both a guardian and innovator within the Chinese painting tradition, reinvigorating classical motifs through color, scale, and modernist sensibility.
4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.
5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition, with no visible signs of damage, pigment loss, or discoloration. The paper is stable, and the color saturation remains vibrant. Archival mounting and framing are recommended to preserve the delicacy of the medium over time.
6. Artistic Significance
Mo Xiong’s Flowers and Birds is a dynamic embodiment of his artistic philosophy—a confluence of East and West, past and present. As a Member of the China Artists Association and Distinguished Educator at Nanjing University of the Arts, Mo’s impact extends well beyond his canvas. This piece captures both the technical finesse and expressive freedom that define his work, making it a compelling acquisition for collectors seeking vibrant examples of contemporary Chinese painting that transcend cultural boundaries.