42cm
16½"
16½"
42cm
16½"
16½"
Approximate Measurements
Artwork Panel: 33cm x 33cm ≈ 13" x 13"
Silk/Brocade Border: 42cm x 42cm ≈ 16½" x 16½"
This charming modern art painting captures a stylish Chinese woman speaking on a vintage telephone while her friend leans nearby, clearly listening in with amused curiosity.
Bold outlines, warm colors, and classic qipao dresses evoke a nostalgic 1930s–1950s Shanghai aesthetic, giving the piece both personality and cultural flair.
The playful storytelling and expressive poses, decorative railing details, and a bright interior scene make this artwork perfect for collectors of Asian-inspired modern art, retro décor, or figurative pieces that highlight friendship, humor, and everyday life.
The artist Mo Nong signing some of his artwork before I took it to my workshop for proper mounting.
This painting is not titled, but is signed by the artist, and authenticated with his red signature seal.
The artist goes by the name 
(Mo Nong).
He lives in Beijing, the capital city of China.
This general style of painting that falls between modern art and folk art is done by many artists in China.
Once the last modern I worked with retired, it took years to find another that I was really happy with. Finally, in 2012, I walked into the studio of Mo Nong, and found what I was looking for.
His variety of composition and painting style make all of these paintings instant classics.
The day I met Mo Nong in his studio in the Panjiayuan artist community of Beijing.
Mo Nong uses paint power and water (similar to gouache) to get vivid colors. This is applied to handmade xuan paper (often called rice paper, though there's no rice in it). When I took these painting to my workshop, they were mounted with a silk brocade border. This border can be used in lieu of matting when you frame this artwork.
