Girls
Shaoli Chen
Artwork Details
Artwork Description
Title: Girls
Artist: Shaoli Chen
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 26 x 26 in (66 x 66 cm)
1. Artwork Identification
This charming composition Title:d Girls by Shaoli Chen presents two youthful figures in vibrant and eclectic attire, posed playfully against a backdrop of broad tropical leaves. One girl wears a ruffled folk-inspired outfit complete with lace and braids, while the other sports contemporary street fashion with bold red lettering on her shirt. Their animated expressions and confident stance radiate individuality and camaraderie.
2. Artistic Style and Influences
Chen’s hallmark style fuses traditional Chinese brush painting with a modern figural aesthetic. The piece reflects his sophisticated command of line and form, where fashion becomes a visual language and personality is conveyed through posture and dress. His sensitivity to character and decorative detail places him among China’s leading figurative painters.
3. Historical Context
Executed in the post-1980s period when contemporary Chinese art embraced more individualized and expressive modes, this work mirrors changing societal values and the rise of youth identity. Chen’s depiction of everyday life, especially of young women, stands as a subtle commentary on evolving gender roles and cultural integration in late 20th-century China.
4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.
5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork shows light creasing consistent with age and storage, but overall remains in very good condition. Colors are fresh, with no evidence of discoloration or tears.
6. Artistic Significance
This work exemplifies Shaoli Chen’s rare ability to depict the spirit of his subjects with both sincerity and style. Girls celebrates individuality, youth culture, and aesthetic fusion, making it a desirable addition for collectors of modern Chinese figuration and cross-cultural portraiture.