Artwork Description

Title:Jungle 2
Artist: Kai Zhu
Date: 2016
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 31.5 x 39.4 in (80 x 100 cm)

Artwork Identification
Jungle 2 by Kai Zhu is an evocative oil on canvas work measuring 80 by 100 centimeters. The composition, rendered in a predominantly blue palette, suggests a semi-abstract or impressionistic interpretation of a natural scene—possibly a dense forest or water surface with reflective qualities. Layered brushwork and tonal variations create a sense of depth and fluidity, immersing the viewer in a contemplative visual experience.

Artistic Style and Influences
Zhu’s approach straddles the boundary between abstraction and Impressionism, prioritizing atmosphere and chromatic harmony over representational clarity. The dominance of blue and the modulation of tones evoke both tranquility and mystery, recalling aspects of the Color Field movement and lyrical abstraction. Simultaneously, the work resonates with Eastern traditions of meditative landscape painting, adapted into a modern painterly idiom.

Historical Context
Painted in 2016, Jungle 2 belongs to a period when contemporary Chinese artists increasingly explored hybrid visual languages, blending abstraction with cultural memory. The choice of a natural subject and emphasis on reflection speaks to contemporary ecological and philosophical concerns, framing nature as both a physical and psychological space in an era of rapid urbanization and environmental discourse.

Provenance and Authenticity
For detailed provenance and authenticity documentation, please contact the gallery directly.

Condition and Conservation
The painting is in excellent condition, with stable pigment layers and no visible signs of wear, craquelure, or restoration. The canvas remains taut and well-maintained. Routine conservation measures are recommended to preserve tonal integrity over time.

Artistic Significance
Jungle 2 is an exemplary work within Kai Zhu’s oeuvre, encapsulating his exploration of natural environments through a lens of abstraction and chromatic sensitivity. Its immersive quality and nuanced painterly surface make it a compelling acquisition for collectors and institutions focused on contemporary abstraction and cross-cultural aesthetics.