Artwork Description

Artist: Jian Guan
Title: Earth Soul Series
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 168 x 200 cm
Condition Report: In good condition

Jian Guan’s Earth Soul Series captures a solitary figure in motion, walking barefoot from right to left, carrying a basket in one hand. The exaggerated anatomy of the figure, with its powerful limbs, conveys a sense of strength and perseverance, characteristic of Guan’s depiction of the working class. The minimalistic background, rendered in deep orange hues, provides a stark contrast to the subject’s blue shirt, creating a striking chromatic interplay. With bold brushwork and a restrained palette, the painting evokes a raw, earthy energy that reflects the artist’s deep connection to rural life and labor.

About the Artist
Guan Jian (born 1955) is a Chinese painter from Kaiyuan, Liaoning Province, known for his powerful portrayals of laborers and rural life. A graduate of the Oil Painting Department of Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts, where he now teaches, Guan is also a member of the China Artists’ Association. His works, often dominated by thick impasto, expressive strokes, and subdued earthy tones, highlight the dignity and resilience of the working class. His figures, frequently depicted with exaggerated hands and feet, symbolize strength and endurance. Major national exhibitions have featured his works, including the Beijing National Art Exhibition (1974), The 1st Youth Art Exhibition (1979), and the National Art Exhibition of Beijing (1992). Guan’s deeply personal and expressive style continues to offer an insightful perspective into the lives of rural workers and the emotional weight of their existence.