Artwork Description

Title: Flowers
Artist: Mo Xiong
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions: 25.6 x 15.4 in (65 x 39 cm)

Artwork Identification
This exuberant still life features a tall earthen-hued vase bursting with flowers in saturated shades of scarlet, cobalt, and ivory. The composition is vertically oriented, emphasizing the bouquet’s energetic upward thrust, while the background’s muted grey-green tones allow the vibrant palette to command full attention. Mo Xiong's expressive brushwork and layered textures give the scene a dynamic, tactile quality.

Artistic Style and Influences
In this composition, Mo Xiong fuses Chinese traditional floral symbolism with modern Western aesthetic sensibilities. His freehand style recalls the spontaneity of xieyi (写意) ink painting, yet the bold colors and patterned background evoke the influence of Fauvism and Post-Impressionism. The linear black-and-white tablecloth introduces a rhythmic base that enhances the painting’s vertical momentum.

Historical Context
Still life has long served as a medium for contemplation and aesthetic harmony in Chinese art. Mo Xiong revitalizes this classical genre through a distinctly contemporary lens—channeling energy, freedom, and cross-cultural dialogue. The vivid colors and exuberant forms reflect a 21st-century reimagining of nature's bounty, filtered through the lens of a globally engaged Chinese painter.

Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
Artwork is in very good condition, with no visible creasing, fading, or paper loss. The colors remain strong and the surface is stable.

Artistic Significance
This piece exemplifies Mo Xiong’s mastery in merging tradition with innovation. The juxtaposition of decorative patterning and painterly spontaneity showcases the artist’s unique voice in modern Chinese art. An ideal acquisition for collectors seeking vibrant still life infused with cultural resonance and artistic daring.