Artwork Description

Title:Scars -1
Artist: Xu Shikun
Date: Undated
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 31.5 x 39.4 inches (80 x 100 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Scars -1 by Xu Shikun is a powerful oil on canvas measuring 80 by 100 centimeters. The work portrays a solitary figure against a backdrop that suggests urban decay or an unfinished construction site, rendered in a palette of muted tones that amplifies the sense of desolation and introspection. Through expressive brushwork and layered textures, the painting conveys an emotional resonance that transcends the literal scene.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Xu Shikun’s aesthetic language combines elements of contemporary realism with a conceptual engagement with post-industrial landscapes. The stark environment and isolated figure echo influences from social realism, yet the mood-driven execution and fragmented spatial structure evoke the psychological depth of post-war European expressionism.

3. Historical Context
The Scars series reflects on themes of transformation, resilience, and loss within rapidly urbanizing societies. As Chinese cities undergo dramatic structural and cultural change, Xu Shikun’s imagery can be read as a meditation on the human condition amidst progress—capturing both the physical “scars” on the landscape and the intangible ones borne by individuals.

4. Provenance and Authenticity
For complete provenance details and certificate of authenticity, please contact the gallery directly.

5. Condition and Conservation
The painting is in very good condition. The surface exhibits no major abrasions, losses, or discoloration. The canvas remains firm, and the pigment layer is stable, preserving the raw energy and atmospheric intensity of the piece.

6. Artistic Significance
Scars -1 occupies an important position within Xu Shikun’s oeuvre, embodying the artist’s contemplative response to urban metamorphosis. Its emotive force, conceptual depth, and formal sophistication make it a work of significant cultural and market interest, appealing to collectors who value contemporary figurative art with profound narrative undertones.