Oil on canvas

150×150 cm. 59×59 in.

Signed in Chinese and dated on bottom left; signed, titled and located with the artist's name in Chinese and dated on the reverse
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Europe

Steadfast as a Sword, Gentle as the Wind
The Unique Charm of Lin Hairong's Art

Lin Hairong was born in Heilongjiang in 1975. After earning her master's degree from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in 2006, she chose to stay. She has taught at the Chongqing Normal University Academy of Fine Arts while continuing her artistic endeavours since 2007. Her works are deeply influenced by traditional Chinese literati painting and classical poetry. She integrates literary and artistic classics into contemporary painting through childlike and flat painting techniques. Her style is both lively and interesting, yet imbued with classical elegance, aiming to maintain clear thinking in a fast-paced consumer society. This allows viewers to reflect on history and seek their true selves in a relaxed manner. Her most representative works are her portraits of women, which embody the qualities of independence and self-reliance of contemporary women. She has held solo exhibitions in various cities such as Shanghai, Chongqing, and Brussels, showcasing her rich experience.

Modern Women's Strength and Grace

The featured work, Magical Sword, was completed in 2008, a pivotal year in the artist's life and career as she became a wife and mother, gaining a deeper understanding of women's roles. In this piece, the subject appears as a warrior woman, embodying the spirit of "women not yielding to men." She wears a bright blue tracksuit and puts her hair in a bun. With bold eyebrows and piercing eyes, she moves with agility and strength. As she steps into a bow stance, her left hand draws a sword from behind, exuding an unyielding aura that symbolizes the inner strength of women.

In terms of colour, Lin uses a minimalist monochromatic background, primarily in black and blue, to highlight the subject, making her stance and expression more pronounced. This draws the viewer's attention to the combination of strength and grace in women. The artist incorporates the image of a female hero from traditional theatre, using the sharp blade to symbolize female power, while her gentle facial features and rounded contours convey femininity, achieving a delicate balance between strength and gentleness. The work connects to the contemplation of women's inner strength. In the harmonious blend of toughness and tenderness, the pursuit of ideals in career, marriage, and family, no matter how sharp the path, is relentless and endlessly captivating.

Price estimate:
HKD 10,000 – 20,000
USD 1,300 – 2,600

Auction Result:
HKD: 21,600