Artwork Description

Title:Sunflower

Artist
Jiang Li

Date
2015

Medium:
Oil on canvas

Dimensions
25 1/2 x 21 1/4 in (65 x 54 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Sunflower is a lush, vividly stylized composition depicting a nude female figure nestled among a kaleidoscopic profusion of oversized sunflowers and blooming flora. With its ornamental detail, vibrant palette, and emotive poise, the painting radiates introspective serenity and symbolic fertility, characteristic of Jiang Li’s richly narrative style.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
A prominent member of the Yunnan School’s second wave, Jiang Li fuses traditional Chinese visual motifs with contemporary figurative abstraction. The artist’s expressive line work and mosaic-like surface patterning are reminiscent of both neolithic Chinese ornamentation and the decorative symbolism of Art Nouveau. The emotional tone of Sunflower recalls Klimt’s sensualism, yet remains rooted in the unique color harmonies and philosophical undertones of Taoist introspection.

3. Historical Context
Created in 2015, Sunflower reflects Jiang Li’s mature style following decades of artistic exploration and cultural adaptation. After leaving China for the United States in 1989, Jiang’s works began to resonate with themes of identity, celebration, and harmony. The flower-filled background and poised figure speak to a post-Cultural Revolution reclamation of aesthetic beauty and personal expression.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
This artwork is in very good condition, with the surface exhibiting no visible signs of deterioration. The colors remain saturated, and the canvas is taut and structurally stable.

6. Artistic Significance
Sunflower exemplifies Jiang Li’s vision as a cultural bridge-builder—melding ancient Chinese symbolism with universal themes of femininity, nature, and spirituality. The piece is a compelling testament to the enduring power of beauty and balance in the human experience, making it a desirable acquisition for collectors of contemporary Chinese and diaspora art.