



Blue Bird and Flowers No. 2
2026
This triptych harnesses gunpowder's dual nature as agent of destruction and creation, with controlled detonations dispersing vivid pigments across canvas. Silhouetted bird forms hover and scatter across the composition in deep blue, while beneath them a dense field of flowering plants emerges in magenta, pink, and warm ochre tones. Gray and black scorch halos radiate outward from the color concentrations, creating atmospheric clouds that dissolve into the white ground. The work exemplifies a significant departure from the artist's signature monochromatic gunpowder practice, embracing chromatic richness while maintaining the medium's inherent volatility and spontaneity. Birds and blossoms coexist in a landscape defined by explosive energy, where ephemeral beauty emerges from pyrotechnic force.
- Medium
- Gunpowder on canvas
- Overall
- Spotted At
- Gallery · White Cube
Notes
White Cube solo presentation of Cai Guo-Qiang at TEFAF New York 2026, Stand 355, Park Avenue Armory, May 14–19, 2026. Made 2021 to 2026. Triptych, 3 parts. Each part framed: 184.8 x 154.6 x 6.7 cm. Overall installed: 183 x 457.5 cm.
For Sale — $1600000
More by Cai Guo-Qiang

Start the Discussion
Request access to join the discussion