Flowers and Birds
Mo Xiong
Artwork Details
Artwork Description
Title: Flowers and Birds
Artist: Mo Xiong
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolour on paper
Dimensions: 38.6 x 70 in (98 x 178 cm)
1. Artwork Identification
Flowers and Birds is a visually striking horizontal composition by acclaimed contemporary Chinese artist Mo Xiong. Executed in ink and watercolor on paper, the work immerses the viewer in a vibrant natural environment alive with blooming lotus, rising foliage, and atmospheric color fields. Saturated hues of burnt orange, turquoise, crimson, and ochre are layered in expressive washes and splatters, while fine black ink lines delineate stems and seedpods with controlled energy. The scene pulses with movement and life, as birds flutter through bursts of floral color in a terrain both abstracted and organic.
2. Artistic Style and Influences
Mo Xiong’s Flowers and Birds is a masterclass in the merging of traditional ink aesthetics with contemporary color theory and compositional experimentation. The lotus blossoms—symbols of purity and spiritual renewal—are painted in a freehand style reminiscent of xieyi brush painting, yet the bold chromatic layering and spontaneous drips show clear affinity with abstract expressionism. This stylistic hybridity, in which literati symbolism meets postmodern mark-making, is a defining characteristic of Mo’s artistic vocabulary.
3. Historical Context
Mo Xiong’s work emerged in a transformative era of Chinese art history, when artists were reasserting personal expression and creative independence after decades of cultural constraint. His education at Nanjing University of the Arts placed him at the forefront of this artistic reawakening. Flowers and Birds reflects this moment: the revival of classical themes—such as birds and lotuses—is paired with a liberated, boundary-defying use of materials and space, representing both heritage and renewal.
4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.
5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper is stable with no evidence of tears, foxing, or water damage. Pigments are bold and well-preserved. There are no signs of restoration, and the piece requires no conservation intervention at this time.
6. Artistic Significance
This large-format work encapsulates Mo Xiong’s position as a leading figure in contemporary Chinese ink painting. His ability to revitalize traditional iconography through modern techniques has garnered him acclaim both as an artist and as a teacher. Flowers and Birds exemplifies the dynamic tension and harmony that define his oeuvre, offering collectors a compelling and culturally resonant vision that bridges time, geography, and artistic lineage.