WANG JIANAN'S WIFE CAI XIAOLI IS FROM FUJIAN PROVINCE, BORN OF A FAMILY OF PAINTERS. WHILE WORKING FOR THE SHANXI PROVINCIAL SONG AND DANCE THEATRE, SHE LEARNED WESTERN PAINTING UNDER WU ZHIDE AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE PORTRAIT PAINTING UNDER WANG ZIWU, BEFORE ENTERING THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE PAINTING DEPARTMENT OF THE CENTRAL ACADEMY OF FINE ART IN CHINA WHERE SHE AFTERWARDS TAUGHT BRUSH PAINTING. AFTER ARRIVING IN ENGLAND IN 1989, THE ARTIST SOUGHT TO HARMONISE HER OWN INDEPENDENT STYLE WITH TRADITIONAL METHODS SUCH AS THE LOT ABOVE. THE ARTIST HAS UTILISED MINERALS, FOR EXAMPLE COPPER CRYSTAL, TO IMITATE NATURAL TEXTURES AND COLOURS OF THE SUBJECT MATTER. THIS TECHNIQUE OF USING HAND-GROUND MINERALS IN PESTLE AND MORTAR WAS DEVELOPED FROM 10TH CENTURY CHINA. EVEN TO THIS DAY, THE PAPER ON WHICH THESE MINERALS ARE PAINTED IS HANDMADE, AND RESEMBLES A MESH OF FLIMSY TISSUE THAT IS BOTH DIFFICULT TO PAINT ON AND TO MOUNT.

CAI XIAOLI WON SEVERAL PRIZES FOR HER PAINTINGS. IN 1984, SHE WON THE EXCELLENT PAINTING PRIZE IN THE SIXTH NATIONAL FINE ARTS EXHIBITION OF CHINA AND THREE YEARS LATER THE SAME PRIZE FROM THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF CHINA, BEIJING. HER EXHIBITONS INCLUDE THE CONTEMPORARY CHINESE PAINTING EXHIBITION, ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, LONDON 1988; ONE-MAN SHOW AT ART IN ACTION, OXFORD 1990; ROYAL ACADEMY SUMMER EXHIBITION, 1991; BRITISH ART FAIR, ROYAL ACADEMY OF ART, LONDON 1991