Artwork Description

Artist: Jian Guan
Title: Go Beachcombing 5
Date: 2009
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 200 x 168 cm
Condition Report: In good condition
Signature: Signed and dated in the lower right corner

Jian Guan’s Go Beachcombing 5 presents a solitary, monumental figure striding toward the viewer, a pitchfork resting on their shoulder. The composition follows a triangular structural formula, lending the piece a sense of stability and weight. Rendered with exaggerated, bold features, the figure emanates power and resilience, dominating the nearly two-meter-high canvas. The color palette is dark and somber, with deep blues and earthy sienna tones creating a striking contrast. Against a minimalist backdrop, the figure’s sheer presence and imposing stature command the viewer’s attention, evoking a profound sense of strength and perseverance.

About the Artist
Guan Jian (born 1955) is a Chinese painter from Kaiyuan, Liaoning Province, celebrated for his expressive portrayals of laborers. He studied at the Oil Painting Department of Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts, where he now teaches. A member of the China Artists' Association, his work is deeply inspired by his rural upbringing, focusing on themes of endurance and authenticity. His signature style features heavy brushwork, a muted color palette, and figures with oversized hands and feet, symbolizing resilience and fortitude. His works have been featured in numerous national exhibitions, including the Beijing National Art Exhibition (1974), The 1st Youth Art Exhibition (1979), and the National Art Exhibition of Beijing (1992). Through his art, Guan captures the dignity and perseverance of the working class, offering a deeply personal and compelling visual narrative.