Artwork Description

Artist: Jian Guan
Title: Go Beachcombing 2
Date: 2008
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 200 x 168 cm
Condition Report: In good condition
Signature: Signed and dated lower left

Jian Guan’s Go Beachcombing 2 presents a solitary, monumental figure striding forward with a long wooden beam resting across their back. Laden with two heavy bags and a pitchfork, the figure embodies resilience and labor, themes central to the artist’s practice. The exaggerated anatomy, with strong limbs and an imposing stance, dominates the nearly two-meter-high canvas, creating a commanding presence. Set against a minimalist background of deep, desaturated blue—almost black—the figure’s bright orange shirt and sienna tones provide a stark contrast, drawing the viewer’s eye to the subject. The composition, with its structured balance and bold brushwork, exudes a sense of raw physical endurance and quiet dignity.

About the Artist
Guan Jian (born 1955) is a Chinese painter from Kaiyuan, Liaoning Province, recognized for his compelling depictions of laborers and rural life. A graduate of the Oil Painting Department of Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts, where he currently teaches, Guan is also a member of the China Artists’ Association. His works emphasize the physical and emotional weight of working-class existence, using thick impasto, bold strokes, and a subdued, earthy palette. His signature figures—often with oversized hands and feet—symbolize strength and perseverance. Major national exhibitions have featured his work, including the Beijing National Art Exhibition (1974), The 1st Youth Art Exhibition (1979), and the National Art Exhibition of Beijing (1992). Through his deeply personal and expressive style, Guan’s paintings capture the essence of endurance, labor, and humanity.