Milly (Shang Chaofeng) Parasol Ladies - Original Chinese Ink Painting Exhibited

Original Chinese Ink Painting

Shang Chaofeng (Milly) - Original Ink and Colour on Paper
“Women Beneath Parasols”

Exhibited at Upfront Gallery, Cumbria • Decorative Contemporary Chinese Figurative Artwork

Key Details

Artist: Shang Chaofeng (Milly)
Title: “Women Beneath Parasols”
Medium: Original ink and colour on paper
Support: Paper
Signature: Signed upper right in Chinese characters
Dimensions: Image: 33 × 33 cm (13.0 × 13.0 in) •
Framed: 43 × 43 cm (16.9 × 16.9 in)
Condition: Excellent overall condition
Provenance: Private collection; exhibited at Upfront Gallery, Cumbria

Description

A vibrant and highly decorative original Chinese ink painting by Shang Chaofeng, known professionally as Milly, the Xi’an artist celebrated for her elegant figurative compositions and distinctive contemporary interpretation of traditional Chinese painting. Rich in colour and atmosphere, this beautifully composed work depicts three stylish women beneath colourful parasols within a traditional Chinese street setting. Executed in Milly’s instantly recognisable elongated figurative style, the composition balances vivid oranges, deep purples, blues, and strong black architectural forms to create a dramatic and sophisticated visual effect. The decorative parasols and stylised costumes give the work exceptional interior appeal and a distinctly modern chinoiserie character.

About the Artist

Shang Chaofeng (born 16 November 1953), known professionally 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 important centre of traditional Chinese art and calligraphy. Her paintings focus almost exclusively on women in elegant social scenes, domestic interiors, and traditional settings, often rendered with elongated forms and expressive stylisation. The strong decorative quality and highly recognisable visual identity of her work led Cumbrian collector John Keith to refer to her as “The Chinese Modigliani” during her UK exhibition.

Estimated Date

Contemporary, exhibited in the United Kingdom during 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 – 4 September 2022. The exhibition introduced Milly’s paintings to UK audiences and featured English-made framing with specialist non-reflective glass. Works from the exhibition retailed at approximately £299 framed. From a private collection. Completely original artwork with strong decorative contemporary Chinese aesthetic, excellent colour, and impressive wall presence.