Artwork Description

Title:Thick Soil Derived

Artist:
Chong Xie

Date:
Undated

Medium:
Wood engraving

Dimensions:
86 × 56 cm (33.9 × 22 in)

1. Artwork Identification
Chong Xie’s Thick Soil Derived is a striking wood engraving measuring 86 × 56 cm. The composition presents an intricate, entangled form with interwoven lines and layered textures, emphasizing organic complexity and a tactile depth. The bold carving and rhythmic linear structure evoke the physicality of soil and natural material, aligning with the conceptual theme suggested by the Title:.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
The work reflects the aesthetics of contemporary Chinese printmaking, rooted in the New Woodcut Movement of early 20th-century China yet reinterpreted through modern sensibilities. The deliberate use of abstraction and textural layering shows affinity with both traditional Chinese ink-line dynamism and Western modernist abstraction, bridging cultural and artistic dialogues.

3. Historical Context
Wood engraving has deep cultural roots in Chinese art history, historically associated with book illustration and later redefined during the Republican era under intellectual figures like Lu Xun. In today’s context, artists such as Chong Xie revisit this heritage with renewed attention to ecological, philosophical, and material concerns. Thick Soil Derived embodies this evolution, transforming the woodcut Medium: into a platform for meditating on entanglement—both natural and existential.

4. Provenance and Authenticity
Please contact the gallery directly for detailed provenance information and authenticity certification.

5. Condition and Conservation
The print appears to be in excellent condition, exhibiting strong ink saturation and crisp linear detail. No evidence of foxing, tears, or fading is observed. The paper surface and edges are stable, with minimal handling wear, suggesting careful preservation.

6. Artistic Significance
Thick Soil Derived stands as an exemplary work within Chong Xie’s oeuvre, revealing the artist’s exploration of form, texture, and materiality. Its dense, woven structure resonates as a metaphor for the interdependency between humans and the earth—a theme of increasing relevance in contemporary Chinese art discourse. For collectors and scholars, this engraving offers a compelling convergence of traditional craft and conceptual inquiry, securing its place in the evolving narrative of East Asian printmaking.