Gong Lilong, Untitled (Childhood Boy), 2005
Oil on canvas
101 x 82 cm (visible), 103 x 84 x 4 cm (framed)
Condition: Good
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Gong Lilong (Chinese, b. 1953) is a contemporary painter known for his humorous, stylised depictions of everyday life. He graduated from the Oil Painting Department of the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in 1982 and later became a faculty member there. Gong has held several key positions in China’s art community, including Vice President of the Shenyang Artists Association, council member of the Liaoning Artists Association, and member of the China Artists Association.
His paintings are recognised for their rounded, expressive figures and vibrant compositions, often evoking the warmth of folk art while subtly commenting on social change. Early works focused on rural subjects, while later series depicted urban characters in whimsical, dreamlike scenarios reminiscent of Marc Chagall’s lyricism.
Gong is a well-respected artist, and this piece stands apart from his Dancing Couple series. I love the way the light falls onto the child’s right side, set against a typically dark, atmospheric indoor environment. The apple completes the composition, and the child’s expression seems to tie in perfectly with it.
Acquired from Haozhen Gallery
(Photographed in August 2025)