Artwork Description

Title: Outing
Artist: Shaoli Chen
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions: 27.6 x 27.6 in (70 x 70 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Title:d Outing, this elegant ink and watercolor on paper by Shaoli Chen captures a moment of fashionable leisure between two young women. Rendered at 70 x 70 cm, the composition situates the figures within a classically inspired garden scene featuring expressive rockery, delicate foliage, and dynamic tree branches. Dressed in modern attire—a yellow striped blouse and burnt sienna skirt on one, a black top and grey jumper dress with wide-brimmed hat on the other—the pair appears composed yet contemporary, bridging eras in both costume and setting.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Shaoli Chen’s distinctive synthesis of traditional Chinese brush painting and urban fashion illustration emerges powerfully in Outing. He combines the flowing spontaneity of ink work with the exactitude of figural detailing, echoing the literati style while introducing elements of Pop Realism. Chen’s work sits at the intersection of decorative sophistication and youthful modernity, his careful stylization inviting comparisons to both Song Dynasty figure painting and contemporary visual narratives.

3. Historical Context
Created during China’s reform-era and post-reform artistic flourishing, Outing reflects a social milieu shaped by consumer aesthetics, individual expression, and the embrace of Western fashion motifs. Through the lens of two poised young women, Chen highlights the generational shift in how femininity and modern identity were visually negotiated in a time of growing cultural hybridity.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork shows light folding marks, visible primarily in the lower register and central field; however, these do not compromise the integrity of the composition. The pigments remain vivid, the paper structurally sound, and no discoloration, tears, or restoration efforts are evident. Overall, the piece is in very good condition and remains a visually striking example of Chen’s refined technique.

6. Artistic Significance
Outing stands as a sophisticated example of Shaoli Chen’s enduring exploration of contemporary life through the medium of classical brushwork. His commitment to integrating youthful energy with traditional techniques continues to place his works at the forefront of modern Chinese ink painting. Collectors and institutions alike will recognize this piece as a compelling articulation of China’s ongoing visual and cultural transformation.