The Silk Ribbon

RA-2026-002

Inspired by the Binkang Road and Jucai Road pedestrian bridge in Hangzhou.

Provenance

From the artist's studio

Completed

2026

Back to Remembrance

The composition centres on a structure whose signature form draws from the flowing, interwoven ribbons of traditional Hangzhou silk, reflecting the layered infrastructure of a contemporary city.

The painting presents the urban landscape through focus and stillness.

This work forms part of an ongoing collection on built frameworks titled Remembrance.

Design Approach

The work began with a measured graphite underdrawing, establishing proportion, structure, and spatial alignment before the introduction of colour.

The drawing phase was deliberate and restrained, allowing the composition to be resolved in quiet before any further development. Edges, intervals, and relationships were set with precision, forming a stable framework for the final image.

Colour was then introduced in controlled layers, preserving the clarity of the initial construction while bringing the scene into full presence.

The scene was stylised to establish clarity and direct attention within the composition.

Project Details

Location

Hangzhou, China

Dimensions

29.7cm x 21cm (11.69 in x 8.27 in)

Acid-free Arches 300 gsm (140 lb) 100% cotton paper
Traditional cylinder mould-made in France
Gelatin-sized to the core

Substrates

Media

Archival lightfast pigments:

Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors

Original:

Handwritten, signed, and wax-sealed Certificate of Authenticity.

Print Edition:

Digitally signed, printed Certificate of Authenticity.

Authentication

Availability

Original: One-of-a-kind.
Print Edition: Limited Edition Giclée Prints (Edition of 70)

Archive ID

RA-2026-002

Collect This

Investment Quality

Original:

Museum-grade longevity (100+ years)

Print Edition:

Average daylight conditions: 80+ years
Dark storage in archival box: 200+ years

Material Integrity

Original Painting:

This work is created on Arches 300 gsm 100% cotton archival paper, using professional-grade Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache and Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors, selected specifically for their archival lightfastness.

Pigment Stability: Only pigments rated Permanence A (Permanent) and AA (Extremely Permanent) are used. These are chemically stable minerals and synthetic pigments engineered to resist fading and colour shift for over a century.
Archival Substrate: Painted on Arches 300 gsm 100% cotton archival paper. This pH-neutral, acid-free, and OBA-free (no optical brighteners) substrate is manufactured in France to museum standards. It is designed to remain structurally sound and free from yellowing for hundreds of years.
Longevity: When displayed under UV-protective glass and away from direct sunlight, the original work is an heirloom-quality piece with an expected longevity exceeding 100 years.

Limited Edition Giclée Prints:

Produced on Hahnemühle Photo Rag, a premium 100% cotton archival paper. Using the latest pigment-based ink technology, these prints meet the highest museum standards for age resistance:

On Display (Average daylight conditions): 80 years
Dark Storage (Archival box): 200+ years

Presentation

Original:

Unframed. Conservation-grade framing with 99% UV-protective museum glass is highly recommended to ensure lifelong pigment stability.

Print Edition:

Framed (FSC-certified wood) or Unframed.
Glazing Specs: Framed prints feature anti-reflective Art Glass (museum-grade for invisible clarity) or Conservation Clear glass with 99% UV protection.

Opera Montis Limited is a company registered in Nigeria with Registration Number: RC9009203.

Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution of any artwork, images, text, concepts or specifications is strictly prohibited without prior written permission.