Artwork Description

Title:Model

Artist
Shaoli Chen

Date
n.d.

Medium:
Ink and watercolor on paper

Dimensions
29.9 × 28.3 in (76 × 72 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Model by Shaoli Chen presents two young women standing together in a natural setting, portrayed in Chen’s distinctively expressive and lightly caricatured style. Dressed in contemporary clothing—one in casual joggers and sneakers, the other in a romantic ruffled dress with a backpack—they embody modern fashion sensibilities with a subtle air of individuality. The loose and gestural brushwork contrasts with their poised stances, creating a charmingly stylized tableau.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
This ink and watercolor work exemplifies Shaoli Chen’s synthesis of traditional Chinese painting aesthetics with modern social themes. His linework, fluid and calligraphic, recalls classical figure painting, yet his subjects—modern young women—are depicted with a humorous and stylized twist. The use of bright yet controlled color reflects his training in both oil painting and classical Chinese techniques, lending depth and dynamism to his figures.

3. Historical Context
Shaoli Chen has developed his artistic voice in the shifting cultural landscape of post-reform China, where tradition and contemporary life converge. This work, with its emphasis on youth and individuality, can be seen as a response to China’s evolving social norms. By placing these modern “models” in a classically rendered landscape, Chen subtly explores how personal identity continues to evolve within the legacy of cultural tradition.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper support remains stable, and the pigments are vivid. No significant creases, discoloration, or watermarks are present, indicating careful preservation.

6. Artistic Significance
Model captures Shaoli Chen’s core artistic mission: to portray contemporary life through a classical lens. His ability to infuse humor, charm, and social observation into a centuries-old Medium: positions him as a uniquely important figure in Chinese contemporary ink painting. This piece is both a stylistic delight and a subtle cultural document, making it highly appealing to collectors of modern Chinese art and ink-based figuration.