Artwork Description

Shaoli Chen
Girl, n.d.
ink and watercolour on paper
27.2 x 27.2 in. (69 x 69 cm)

This square-format composition depicts two fashionably dressed young women standing side by side before a naturalistic setting of rock and grass. The figures are rendered with a light, fluid handling of ink and watercolour, combining stylised contouring with delicate tonal modulation. Their contrasting outfits—one in a gingham blouse and mustard skirt, the other in a denim shirt, floral skirt, and black hat—introduce a vibrant interplay of pattern and surface within the composition.

The artist’s approach integrates traditional Chinese ink painting techniques with contemporary figural representation. Fine linework and wash effects are employed alongside a more illustrative treatment of costume and texture, producing a visual language that is both decorative and observational.

The work reflects broader socio-cultural shifts in late 20th- and early 21st-century China, where increasing exposure to global fashion and urban identity reshaped artistic representations of youth and femininity. Within this context, the figures function as both portrait and cultural signifier.

The work is in very good condition, with stable pigments and paper support. A faint mark is present near the upper centre but does not affect the overall integrity of the composition. Provenance: documentation can be provided upon request.