

Study for Uffizi: Small Piece No. 2
2018
This small square canvas presents a luminous study in controlled destruction, where deep crimsons and dusty reds bloom across pale pink grounds. Diagonal streaks of charcoal and gunpowder residue cut through the composition like geological strata or weathered pathways, while soft halos of color diffuse outward from areas of darker concentration. The work exemplifies Cai Guo Qiang's signature technique of detonating gunpowder on canvas, a method that transforms explosive force into painterly gesture. The tension between the violence of the medium and the delicate chromatic result reveals the artist's long standing investigation into creation and destruction as complementary forces. This recent turn toward warm color marks a significant shift from decades of monochromatic black gunpowder works.
- 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. Framed: 27.3 x 27.3 x 7 cm.
For Sale — $40000
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