Quiet Smile Series 12
Junbang Xu
Artwork Details
Artwork Description
Title:Quiet Smile Series 12
Artist: Junbang Xu
Date: 2015
Medium: Mixed media on canvas
Dimensions: 17.7 x 21.7 in (45 x 55 cm)
Artwork Identification
Quiet Smile Series 12 by Junbang Xu is a mixed-media painting on canvas measuring 45 by 55 centimeters. The work presents the serene visage of the Buddha, depicted with closed eyes and a tranquil expression that embodies wisdom, compassion, and inner peace. Executed with gestural energy and layered materiality, the surface reveals visible brushstrokes and textured applications, heightening the sense of tactile immediacy.
Artistic Style and Influences
The painting draws on both spiritual iconography and modern expressive techniques. The warm palette—dominated by reds, oranges, and earthy hues—evokes symbolic associations with vitality and sacred energy in Buddhist traditions. Xu’s method integrates expressionistic brushwork with mixed-media elements, situating the piece within a lineage of contemporary spiritual abstraction. The composition also resonates with 20th-century modernists who reinterpreted devotional imagery through personal, emotive vocabularies.
Historical Context
Completed in 2015, this work reflects the resurgence of spiritual themes in global contemporary art as a counterpoint to rapid material and technological change. By reimagining the Buddha’s face through an expressive and tactile medium, Xu creates a contemplative image that bridges traditional Eastern iconography and modernist experimentation, speaking to an era seeking equilibrium between heritage and innovation.
Provenance and Authenticity
For detailed provenance information and certificates of authenticity, please contact the gallery directly.
Condition and Conservation
The painting is in excellent condition, with no visible signs of material instability, surface abrasion, or prior restoration. The canvas and mixed-media layers remain structurally sound. Preventive measures such as stable humidity and controlled light exposure are recommended to preserve its chromatic richness and surface integrity.
Artistic Significance
Quiet Smile Series 12 stands as a profound testament to Junbang Xu’s ability to merge spiritual subject matter with contemporary visual strategies. Its meditative presence and expressive surface qualities make it an exceptional choice for collectors seeking works that harmonize aesthetic vigor with philosophical depth.