Artwork Description

Title:Flowers and Birds

Artist
Bi Keyan

Date
n.d.

Medium: Traditional Chinese Painting (Ink on Paper)

Dimensions
13.8 x 13.8 in (35 x 35 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Although Title:d Flowers and Birds, this haunting monochrome ink work by Bi Keyan offers an enigmatic architectural vision, with a fortress-like structure nestled within swirling geological formations. The atmospheric composition—entirely in shades of black and grey—evokes a dreamlike landscape of erosion, memory, and silent solitude. The stark branches of a single winter tree complete the mood of contemplative desolation.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Bi Keyan's approach departs from traditional motifs typically associated with the “Flowers and Birds” genre, offering instead a conceptual landscape that echoes both literati painting and modern surrealism. The textures and swirling formations reflect an experimental ink technique, influenced by geological abstraction, while the fine linework within the architectural elements shows mastery of classical control.

3. Historical Context
Born in Wendeng, Shandong Province, in 1972, Bi Keyan is part of a new generation of Chinese ink painters reimagining tradition through academic discipline and personal innovation. Her dual education at Qufu Normal University and Nanjing University of the Arts reflects a foundation rooted in both historical reverence and modern exploration.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper surface remains clean, with no signs of foxing or damage, and the ink is well-preserved, maintaining strong contrast and crisp line definition.

6. Artistic Significance
This work encapsulates Bi Keyan’s refined visual language—one that dwells in the threshold between memory and material, architecture and erosion. Her sensitive rendering and conceptual tension invite collectors to consider the evolution of Chinese ink painting into psychological terrain. A unique and compelling addition to any serious collection of contemporary Chinese works on paper.