Artwork Description

Title:Abstract Figures

Artist
Ding Shaoguang (丁绍光)

Date
1998

Medium:
Work on paper

Dimensions
26.8 × 26.8 in (68 × 68 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
This striking composition by Ding Shaoguang (Ting Shao Kuang), Title:d Abstract Figures, features the artist’s signature style of elegant, stylized female forms set against radiant geometric abstraction. Created in 1998, the work is rendered on paper with vivid bands of orange, violet, and turquoise, radiating from a solar motif encircled by dynamic avian forms. The central figure, adorned with coiled bangles and expressive linework, evokes a serene, contemplative presence amidst the vibrant burst of color and light.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Ding Shaoguang’s work is deeply informed by his association with the Yunnan Art School, blending Eastern aesthetic principles with global visual idioms. In Abstract Figures, one finds clear traces of Ancient Egyptian compositional stylization and Art Nouveau fluidity. The gold-outlined contours and ornamental symmetry of the subject recall Gustav Klimt’s decorative modernism, while the bold chromatic contrasts and symbolic sun imagery reflect both traditional Chinese motifs and Western mystical abstraction. His palette and draftsmanship channel a harmonious fusion of heritage and innovation.

3. Historical Context
Emerging in the late 20th century as a leading figure of the Yunnan Art School movement, Ding Shaoguang played a pivotal role in redefining post-Cultural Revolution Chinese art. His practice, formed in Beijing and matured in Kunming, became an emblem of spiritual and aesthetic renewal. Following his emigration to the United States, Ding brought his cross-cultural visual vocabulary to global audiences, positioning his work within dialogues of diaspora, identity, and transcultural modernism. This 1998 work sits within a prolific period of mature synthesis between East and West.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The surface shows no signs of discoloration, foxing, or structural compromise. Pigmentation remains strong and stable, with no noticeable abrasions or conservation interventions required. The piece is suitable for immediate exhibition or archival framing.

6. Artistic Significance
Ding Shaoguang occupies a distinguished place in both Chinese and international contemporary art history. His pioneering visual language bridges classical traditions with modern figuration, making his work highly sought-after by collectors of Asian modernism and transcultural aesthetics. Abstract Figures exemplifies the artist’s refined ability to render symbolic femininity and metaphysical serenity through dazzling chromatic complexity. It stands as a testament to Ding's mastery and vision, embodying both cultural heritage and timeless modernity.