Artwork Description

Title: Ink Elements No.20130 621B
Artist: Li Gang (Chinese, b. 1960s)
Date: Undated
Medium: Ink and mixed media on paper
Dimensions: 28.3 x 144.1 in (72 x 366 cm)

Artwork Identification
Ink Elements No.20130 621B is a monumental ink-based work by contemporary Chinese artist Li Gang, measuring an expansive 72 by 366 centimeters. The piece, from his acclaimed Ink Elements series, is executed not with traditional brushwork but through an innovative process of imprinting, folding, tearing, soaking, and reassembling paper. The resulting composition exudes rhythmic tension, material tactility, and a refined conceptual structure, redefining the potential of ink painting within a contemporary language.

Artistic Style and Influences
Deeply rooted in Chinese aesthetics, Li Gang’s practice pays homage to the spiritual essence of ink while radically departing from its formal conventions. Inspired by classical literati painting yet rejecting the brush, perspective, and compositional balance, his “ritual of ink” embraces abstraction, process, and material experimentation. Ink Elements No.20130 621B transcends the binary of tradition and innovation, aligning his work with the philosophy of the Dao and echoing global developments in post-minimalist and conceptual abstraction. The work’s large horizontal format invites visual immersion and meditative engagement, much like a handscroll or landscape.

Historical Context
Emerging in the wake of China’s reform and opening, Li Gang belongs to a generation of artists who questioned inherited artistic norms while remaining deeply engaged with cultural heritage. Originally trained in traditional ink and printmaking, Li’s evolution into experimental abstraction reflects broader movements in Chinese contemporary art from the 1990s onward—when ink artists began rethinking the relevance and future of the medium. Ink Elements No.20130 621B captures this period of ideological and technical transition, placing ink in dialogue with global practices of conceptualism, performance, and materiality.

Provenance and Authenticity
This work is from Li Gang’s ongoing Ink Elements series and is attributed directly to the artist. Li’s works have been exhibited in institutions across China and internationally, with select pieces featured in group exhibitions exploring contemporary ink art. His practice is widely documented in academic and curatorial literature on post-traditional ink painting. This particular piece comes from a private collection and is believed to have been acquired directly from the artist’s studio or affiliated exhibition. Additional authentication and provenance documents may be available upon request.

Condition and Conservation
The work is in excellent condition. The paper surface is stable, with no warping or discoloration. All intentional tears, creases, and textural disruptions are part of the artist’s working method and integral to the piece’s conceptual framework. The work has been stored in climate-appropriate conditions and retains its full compositional clarity. If mounted, the mounting adheres to conservation-grade standards suitable for large-scale contemporary paper works.

Artistic Significance
Ink Elements No.20130 621B exemplifies Li Gang’s transformative approach to Chinese ink art in the 21st century. As one of the key figures in redefining post-traditional ink aesthetics, Li bridges the ritualistic and the radical, honoring the philosophical core of ink while liberating its material practice. This expansive work stands as a powerful meditation on time, presence, and fragmentation—resonating with both ancient Chinese principles and contemporary global currents. Collectors seeking visionary contributions to the evolution of ink painting will find in this work a compelling and historically significant acquisition.