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Artist finds great meaning in simplicity
By Wu Huixin |
April 16, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AROUND 120 paintings by artist Wang Hanshan (1924-2000) are now being exhibited at the Zhejiang Art Museum through Sunday.
Wang, a native of Shuangfeng County, Hunan Province, became an apprentice of Pan Tianshou - a notable painter and art educator - in 1947. Wang studied at the Hangzhou National Academy of Fine Arts, which is now known as the China Academy of Art.
As Wang lived in seclusion, the majority of his work features farmyard settings.
His flower and bird creations have simple and exaggerated figures.
The painting "Mandarin Ducks" is a study in simplicity and profoundness. The two ducks, painted with just a few strokes, are exaggerated and lifelike. A single line represents the water the ducks wade in.
Wang also wrote an article titled "My Road of Art" to describe how he was a stickler for accuracy.
"I spent hours watching how roosters fight," he wrote. "Once, on my way to Changsha, I saw two bulls fighting fiercely. I was captivated by the scene and even missed the train.
"Techniques are not enough, observation and discoveries are also needed."
Wang worked as an army official in 1949. During that period, late Chairman Mao Zedong preached that the purpose of art was to serve and inspire the people, which was the opposite of what Wang thought. He changed jobs, later teaching art in his hometown in Shuangfeng.
He began selling his works in 1984 to raise money to set up new schools.
"I painted 300 pieces at a sitting to sell. In the end, I earned 24,000 yuan (US$3,807). It was a large amount of money at that time," Wang once said.
After retiring from teaching in 1980, he moved to the countryside and devoted himself to painting. Many art experts believe this is why Wang's paintings are unique.
He was dubbed "Qi Baishi of the 21st century." Qi was a renowned artist who excelled at painting prawns.
Chinese paintings fuse poetry, calligraphy and painting. Wang divided his time into three parts - 20 percent for calligraphy, 20 percent for painting and the rest for reading.
He always said the most important thing for a painter was reading books, followed by calligraphy.
As an honest and simple man, Wang was indifferent to fame and fortune. This exhibition, sponsored by the Zhejiang Province Department of Culture and the China Academy of Art, fulfills Wang's long-cherished wish.
Date: through April 22, 9am-4:30pm (closed on Mondays)
Address: 138 Nanshan Rd
Tel: (0571) 8707-8700
Admission: free
Wang, a native of Shuangfeng County, Hunan Province, became an apprentice of Pan Tianshou - a notable painter and art educator - in 1947. Wang studied at the Hangzhou National Academy of Fine Arts, which is now known as the China Academy of Art.
As Wang lived in seclusion, the majority of his work features farmyard settings.
His flower and bird creations have simple and exaggerated figures.
The painting "Mandarin Ducks" is a study in simplicity and profoundness. The two ducks, painted with just a few strokes, are exaggerated and lifelike. A single line represents the water the ducks wade in.
Wang also wrote an article titled "My Road of Art" to describe how he was a stickler for accuracy.
"I spent hours watching how roosters fight," he wrote. "Once, on my way to Changsha, I saw two bulls fighting fiercely. I was captivated by the scene and even missed the train.
"Techniques are not enough, observation and discoveries are also needed."
Wang worked as an army official in 1949. During that period, late Chairman Mao Zedong preached that the purpose of art was to serve and inspire the people, which was the opposite of what Wang thought. He changed jobs, later teaching art in his hometown in Shuangfeng.
He began selling his works in 1984 to raise money to set up new schools.
"I painted 300 pieces at a sitting to sell. In the end, I earned 24,000 yuan (US$3,807). It was a large amount of money at that time," Wang once said.
After retiring from teaching in 1980, he moved to the countryside and devoted himself to painting. Many art experts believe this is why Wang's paintings are unique.
He was dubbed "Qi Baishi of the 21st century." Qi was a renowned artist who excelled at painting prawns.
Chinese paintings fuse poetry, calligraphy and painting. Wang divided his time into three parts - 20 percent for calligraphy, 20 percent for painting and the rest for reading.
He always said the most important thing for a painter was reading books, followed by calligraphy.
As an honest and simple man, Wang was indifferent to fame and fortune. This exhibition, sponsored by the Zhejiang Province Department of Culture and the China Academy of Art, fulfills Wang's long-cherished wish.
Date: through April 22, 9am-4:30pm (closed on Mondays)
Address: 138 Nanshan Rd
Tel: (0571) 8707-8700
Admission: free
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