Artwork Description

Title: Building Wings
Artist: Jiahua Liu
Date: 2014
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 59.1 x 59.1 in (150 x 150 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Building Wings (2014) by Jiahua Liu presents a mesmerizing monochromatic composition in which ethereal feather-like forms emerge from a dark background in ghostly, concentric gestures. Executed in acrylic on a large square canvas, the work captures a dynamic vortex of light and texture, offering a visually tactile surface that simultaneously evokes softness and mystery. The feather forms appear to be coalescing or dissolving, suspended in a state of becoming—an image that resonates deeply with the theme of metamorphosis.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Liu’s practice lies at the intersection of abstraction and symbolism, often using organic, calligraphic motifs to navigate psychological and existential terrains. Building Wings showcases his minimalist yet emotionally charged aesthetic—suggestive of both the meditative stillness of traditional Chinese ink painting and the gestural vigor of contemporary abstraction. The repeated feather-like strokes recall motifs from nature, rendered with subtle tonal transitions that reveal the artist’s interest in spiritual ascent and internal transformation.

3. Historical Context
Created in 2014, Building Wings reflects Liu’s response to the sociocultural upheavals brought about by rapid urbanization in contemporary China. Born in rural Sichuan and relocating to Beijing as an independent artist in 2009, Liu brings an acute awareness of displacement and adaptation to his work. The painting becomes a visual metaphor for personal evolution within a shifting societal framework—where one must construct new “wings” to navigate an unfamiliar and often disorienting modernity.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The acrylic surface shows no visible signs of cracking, discoloration, or restoration. The paint retains its original matte texture, and the edges and corners of the canvas remain intact. The piece is housed in an ornate silver-toned frame that complements its spectral palette.

6. Artistic Significance
Jiahua Liu has gained increasing recognition for his introspective and atmospheric visual language. His work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, earning acclaim for its lyrical approach to identity, urban experience, and transformation. Building Wings stands as a pivotal example of his oeuvre, encapsulating the tension between fragility and resilience. It is a compelling and poetic meditation on growth and adaptation, emblematic of Liu’s voice among China’s new generation of post-urbanist artists.