ZHU XINJIAN

Zhu Xinjian is best known for his risqué and playful paintings of ladies in a quirky ink painting style. The ladies are typically depicted in provocative or languorous poses and in various stages of undress, against a backdrop of traditional Chinese furniture and pot plants, and often accompanied by a pet cat. Calligraphic inscriptions, taken from classical Chinese poetry of the Tang and Song dynasties, form an integral part of the composition, appearing to jostle for space with the figural elements.

Originating from his illustrations for the classical erotic masterpiece Jinpingmei, Zhu Xingjian’s paintings are characterized by their unabashed earthiness. The exaggeratedly voluptuous figures are drawn in naïve but skilful line work, to which small areas of pastel colour are added to highlight the ladies’ clothing, usually half removed. The overall effect is of a private peep show, sensuous and faintly humorous at the same time.