Milly (Shang Chaofeng) Female Make Up - Original Chinese Ink Painting Exhibited

Original Chinese Ink Painting

Shang Chaofeng (Milly) - Original Ink and Colour on Paper “Elegant Seated Woman at Vanity Table”

Exhibited at Upfront Gallery, Cumbria — richly decorative contemporary Chinese figurative work with strong Art Deco influence

Key Details

Artist: Shang Chaofeng (Milly)
Title: “Elegant Seated Woman at Vanity Table”
Medium: Original ink and colour on paper
Support: Paper
Signature: Signed lower right in Chinese characters
Dimensions: Image: 35 × 35 cm (13.8 × 13.8 in) Frame: 46 × 46 cm (18.1 × 18.1 in)
Condition: Excellent overall condition
Provenance: Private collection; exhibited at Upfront Gallery, Cumbria

Description

A striking and highly decorative original Chinese ink painting by Shang Chaofeng, known professionally as Milly, the Xi’an artist celebrated for her elegant portrayals of women in sophisticated domestic interiors. Rich in colour and beautifully composed, this work has exceptional wall presence, combining traditional Chinese painting techniques with a distinctly modern decorative sensibility. The painting depicts a stylish seated woman before an ornate dressing table, rendered in Milly’s instantly recognisable elongated figurative style. The composition is filled with luxurious visual details including vivid lacquer-red furniture, soft drapery, jewellery tones, and a delicate birdcage, creating a scene that feels both theatrical and intimate. The strong black background and geometric composition give the work a sophisticated Art Deco quality that works exceptionally well in contemporary interiors. Presented in a contemporary glazed frame.

About the Artist

Shang Chaofeng (born 16 November 1953), known as Milly, is a self-taught painter based in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China. She works from her studio and gallery in Xi’an’s historic Shuyuanmen Art Quarter beside the renowned Stele Forest Museum, an area long associated with traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting. Milly paints exclusively original works using traditional Chinese ink painting methods. Her subject matter focuses primarily on women in elegant interiors, social gatherings, and domestic scenes, often accompanied by children or animals. Her elongated figures and expressive compositions led Cumbrian collector John Keith to nickname her “The Chinese Modigliani” during her UK exhibition.

Estimated Date

Contemporary, exhibited in the UK in 2022

Provenance & Notes

Exhibited in the UK at “From Xi’an, China to Upfront, Penrith” held at Upfront Gallery, Hutton-in-the-Forest, near Penrith, Cumbria, from 19 July to 4 September 2022. The exhibition introduced Milly’s work to UK audiences and featured English framing with specialist non-reflective glass. Works from the exhibition retailed at approximately £299 framed. From a private collection. Completely original artwork with no known auction saturation and strong decorative appeal for contemporary interiors.