Oil on canvas

180 × 120 cm. 70 7/8 × 47 1/4 in.

Signed in initials and dated on bottom right
EXHIBITED
5 May - 16 June 2018, Vanished Eden: Ji Xin, Hive Center for Contemporary Art, Shenzhen

PROVENANCE
Hive Center for Contemporary Art, Shen Zhen
Acquired directly by present important private Asian collector from the above

Whispers of Pine Branches, Melodic Stone Chimes
Ji Xin’s Resolute Portrayal of Gentle Women

"I yearn for a clean and restrained art."
—— Ji Xin

Born in 1988 in Nantong, Jiangsu, Ji Xin seamlessly blends Eastern charm with Western classical painting techniques, creating a distinctive "Song-style aesthetics". His depictions of women exude a delicate and tranquil elegance, making him a standout artist among the post-80s generation. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree from the China Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in 2010, Ji Xin continued his studies at CAFA and received awards during a 2012 exchange program in Paris, such as the "Creative Award of Gold Phoenix Arts Scholarship" and "Marie’s Award for Art". He earned his master’s degree a year later and then embarked on his journey as a professional artist.

Influenced by Netherlandish painting, the Renaissance, Balthus’s intertwining of reality and imagination, and traditional Chinese paintings of women, Ji Xin meticulously contemplates the relationship between figure modelling and colour. Transitioning from a mysterious, fable-like style dominated by black tones to highlighting women in daily life, he entered a period of artistic maturity in 2017. Ji Xin has held numerous solo exhibitions domestically and internationally, gaining significant attention. His works are now housed in institutions such as ICA Miami, Beijing X Museum, Shanghai Long Museum, Shanghai Powerlong Art Museum, Nanjing Deji Art Museum, and Nanjing G Museum of Art. In 2023, he became a PhD candidate at CAFA and an artist represented by the internationally renowned gallery Almine Rech, where his pieces are highly sought after in the primary market.

Blending Ancient and Modern, Life in Quiet Beauty

"For me, whether it’s pursuing spatial relationships, structure, or the delicacy of the composition, the core is always the pursuit of beauty and the feeling of life."
—— Ji Xin

Ji Xin once revealed that his perception of female beauty was shaped by the Song and Ming-Qing dynasties’ detailed brushwork and the celebrity posters he saw during his youth. He particularly admired the voluminous and soft waves of women’s hair in vintage posters. After studying oil painting, he discovered commonalities in Eastern and Western art. Over the years, he has consistently practised a "blended painting language" that combines elements of "Eastern and Western classics" with "modern cartoons", reconstructing the classical beauty of the contemporary world. The poetic lines inherent in the female form led the artist to contemplate religious and utopian senses of order. His elegantly nostalgic depictions of women are not based on real models but draw inspiration from the women around him. Through the interweaving of imagination and reality, he creates a portrayal of women that has become his habit of communicating with the world. He intends to construct a warm and tranquil corner amid the restlessness and anxiety of contemporary society.

In Winter’s Grasp, Pine Clasp

Completed in 2017, Pine Branches stands as a pivotal masterpiece presented at Ji Xin’s Vanished Eden solo exhibition the following year. Drawing inspiration from Alberto Giacometti’s slender figures, Ji Xin blends the Eastern cultural symbol "pine" and Song Dynasty colour tones, creating a unique portrayal of static figures. This piece, the sole large-scale nude female painting in the exhibition, is a rare sight in the artist’s career.

Against a backdrop reminiscent of the Song Dynasty’s simple green hues, a poised girl tiptoes, her body intentionally elongated, resembling a towering Gothic structure. The intricately detailed figure features a round face, crescent eyebrows, a high nose bridge, and slender eyes. Beneath flowing curls, her cheeks and the tip of her nose blush with a gentle, elegant visage. With her left hand hanging by her side and the right arm slightly bent, her wrist resting against her hip, her clear eyes gaze into the distance. Ji Xin uses straight lines to outline the girl’s figure, contrasting it with rounded curves for balance. The girl’s skin, akin to jade, contrasts with the brownish-grey tones of the ground and the cool dark green of the pine branches, highlighting her purity. The piece metaphorically conveys a woman’s confident acceptance of her body in modern society – a resilient character beneath a soft and graceful exterior, akin to a sturdy pine in the chilly wind. Through Ji Xin’s skilful arrangement, viewers are led into an atmosphere that is gentle yet strong, peaceful yet vibrant. Pine Branches emanates a sense of pure beauty and tranquillity, as if the chaotic world comes to a sudden halt, offering viewers a space for rest and imagination, a dialogue with the heart.

Price estimate:
HKD: 200,000 - 300,000
USD: 25,500 - 38,300

Auction Result:
HKD: 1,680,000