Artwork Description

Title:Girl

Artist
Shaoli Chen (陈少丽)

Date
n.d.

Medium:
Watercolour on paper

Dimensions
26 x 26 in (66 x 66 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
In Girl, Shaoli Chen presents a pair of young girls standing hand in hand before a backdrop of tropical foliage and stone. Their confident postures and fashionable outfits reflect a modern, playful sensibility. Executed with fine linework and delicate watercolor washes, the piece seamlessly marries traditional Chinese artistic discipline with a contemporary, almost narrative-like figuration.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Chen’s approach blends Chinese ink painting techniques with a figurative modernity. The elongated faces, expressive eyes, and stylized detailing are reminiscent of traditional Chinese portraiture, yet the clothing, accessories, and attitude of the figures introduce a distinctly contemporary visual language. The result is a tender, humorous, and culturally resonant depiction of youth and individuality.

3. Historical Context
Created during an era of rapid cultural and aesthetic transformation in China, Girl reflects the merging of traditional artistic heritage with post-1980s urban culture. As China modernized, artists like Chen began to explore personal expression and daily life as central themes, moving away from collective narratives to focus on individual identity, particularly that of young women and girls navigating a changing social landscape.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper is clean and well-preserved, with no visible foxing, tears, or water damage. Colors remain vibrant and stable.

6. Artistic Significance
Girl exemplifies Shaoli Chen’s sensitive eye and technical finesse. Her unique synthesis of tradition and modernity makes her work both accessible and profound. This piece, with its charming subject matter and finely balanced composition, is a testament to Chen’s contribution to contemporary Chinese watercolor painting—subtle in tone yet rich in emotional and cultural depth.