Interview | Liang Wang
Liang Wang was born in Dazhou, Sichuan and graduated from the Department of Art and Design at Beijing Institute of Printing in 2001. In 2003, he studied in Germany as part of a government-sponsored program. Since 2005, he has been teaching at Anhui University of Press and Publication. Liang Wang is a member of the International Visual Council and the International Designer Club.
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10 Questions with Artist Liang Wang
June 19, 2023
Q1. Your artistic journey began with studying at the Department of Art and Design at Beijing Institute of Printing. How did that experience shape your artistic style and approach?
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In 1997, I joined the Department of Art and Design at Beijing Institute of Printing. Back then, each grade consisted of only three classes with 15 students in each class. Among my classmates, who were exceptional talents from across the country, I was the sole representative from Sichuan Province. Although my artistic style didn't fully develop during that period, those years brought me immense happiness. Even after graduation, I find myself occasionally dreaming of my teachers and classmates, evoking a warm and pleasant sensation.
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Q2. Could you share some insights into your time studying in Germany as part of the government-sponsored program? How did it contribute to your artistic growth and perspective?
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In 2003, I had the privilege of embarking on a study abroad journey to Germany as part of a collaborative project between the German and Chinese governments. It remains one of the most enriching periods of my life, and the memories of that time are still vivid as the plane touched down at Frankfurt International Airport. Looking back, there are numerous stories from my experiences in Germany that hold great significance to me. While I won't delve into them extensively here, I cherish them privately and hope to pass them down to my children and future generations of my family. Above all, it was the art and culture there that provided profound nourishment for my personal growth and the expansion of my vision.
《外乡》，30X50厘米，纸本绘色
Q3. Since 2005, you have been teaching at Anhui University of Press and Publication. How has being an educator influenced your own artistic practice and development?
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As a faculty member at Anhui University of Press and Publication, my teaching responsibilities encompass various aspects of art and design, including layout design, poster design, packaging design, book design, and more. While my teaching work may not directly align with my own artistic creations, they exist in separate realms without significant influence on one another.
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《é‚渡》，纸本，21X29.7厘米，2017
Q4. Many of your artworks have received prestigious awards and recognition. Could you tell us about one or two of your award-winning pieces and the inspiration behind them?
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In August 2017, I had the opportunity to visit Nanning, Guangxi, accompanied by a friend. We explored several scenic spots, where the southern forests exuded a mysterious atmosphere unlike anything I had experienced in Sichuan, Beijing, or Anhui. I couldn't resist capturing those moments with my camera, and upon returning home in October, I found myself leisurely browsing through the photographs. The enchanting landscapes of Nanning deeply moved me, and an irresistible urge to express my emotions through art sparked within me.
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Armed with a simple black syringe pen and a blank sheet of white paper, I allowed my heart to guide my hand. The doodles that emerged on the paper became a reflection of the profound emotions I had felt during my journey. To my astonishment, the resulting artwork transcended the mere replication of a photograph or the fleeting feelings of that moment. It became a fusion of my thoughts, values, and emotions—a creation that I titled "é‚渡."
This piece went on to receive the prestigious 2017 CGDA Visual Communication Design Award, marking my first recognition in the realm of painting. This unplanned act ignited my artistic path. Since 2020, I have wholeheartedly embraced my artistic endeavors, actively participating in national and international competitions and gradually gaining recognition. Even in my spare time, I dedicate myself to the pursuit of art.
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Q5. Nature seems to be a recurring theme in your artwork. What draws you to nature as a subject, and how do you convey its essence through your artistic expressions?
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Most of my artworks revolve around nature themes, although I also explore elements of people and still life. However, the majority of my award-winning pieces are inspired by the wonders of nature. I hail from a township in Sichuan Province, China, where I spent my formative years until high school. This town, known as "Maliu," derives its name from the abundance of hemp (麻, Ma) and willow trees (柳, Liu) that adorn its landscape. Just beyond the riverside street, the serene Mingyue River gently flows, providing a natural playground where children can unwind after school. It was during this carefree and youthful period that I laid the foundation for my artistic expression, nurtured by the tranquility of my surroundings. The sensitivity I possess towards nature is deeply ingrained within me. In my artistic process, I utilize dots to symbolize all living entities in the world, be it humans, animals, plants, or microorganisms. Through the arrangement and spatial distance between these dots, I strive to perfect the interpretation of nature's magnificence in my work.
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《春暖》，60X80厘米，油彩，2023
Mountain God，50X50cm，Paper based painting，2022
Q6. Many of your artworks evoke a sense of introspection and contemplation. What emotions or ideas do you aim to evoke in viewers, and how do you achieve this through your artistic choices?
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Since childhood, I have had a fondness for reading and doodling. Particularly in the gentle afternoon breeze, I would find myself lying on the upstairs cupboard, engrossed in a state devoid of a clear objective. In truth, I would be guided by my subconscious, sketching the profound insights gleaned from the accumulation of daily readings. Through these artistic expressions, I aim to capture the helplessness I perceive within certain societal phenomena, the incomprehension I feel towards friends both near and far, and the bewildering complexities and ever-changing nature of human behavior. Employing the interplay of dots and lines, I endeavor to evoke emotional responses, seeking solace for the soul and achieving a harmonious unity with nature.
ã€Šæ— å¸¸ã€‹ï¼Œ50X50厘米，纸本绘色，2023
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Q7. Can you tell us about the artistic process behind creating one of your recent or notable artworks? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
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The most recent creation, titled "æ— å¸¸," originally began as a nature-themed sketch. If you look closely at the original draft of the work, you will be amazed at the novelty of the painting form. The brush I use is not the traditional Chinese brush, not the oil brush of Western painting, but a syringe pen, with different caliber sizes, and I usually use a 0.5mm fineliner pens to create. This unconventional tool adds an element of surprise to my creative process, as I am uncertain of the final outcome until its completion. It opens a new window into my artistic thinking, distinct from my approach to teaching design. Thus, each day brings forth new challenges, as I must navigate the intricate relationships between points and lines afresh. The central theme of this particular artwork resembles the sudden appearance of a ever-changing human visage, emerging after undergoing a spiritual purification. It serves as a metaphor for the transient nature of human existence. This work has recently received invitations from galleries in France and Italy to exhibit.
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Q8. Are there any specific cultural or historical influences that inspire your art? How do you incorporate these influences into your work while maintaining your unique artistic voice?
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China's traditional cultural thought is profound and vast, with countless great figures. One particular master whom I greatly admire is Laozi. Laozi's Tao Te Ching, like the radiant sun and moon in the heavens, continues to illuminate both the past and present. Flowers and water flow, each following their own course; birds and fish create music, each in their own delightful simplicity. The beauty of nature captivates us effortlessly. Laozi elevated "nature" to the highest realm, emphasizing that "all things are born of the Earth, nurtured by Heaven, guided by the Tao, and harmonized by nature." Here, "nature" encompasses not only the physical world but also the liberated and carefree spiritual state. Through his profound wisdom, Laozi cautions us against extremes, extravagance, and excessiveness, urging us to avoid insatiable desires. Pursuing such behaviors will ultimately lead to failure. It is the wisdom bestowed by Laozi's teachings that has profoundly influenced my own perspective. Just as every individual should strive to be independent, self-respecting, and self-loving, I approach my creative process in a similar manner. Each dot and each line is treated as a vibrant and awakened entity, existing naturally and harmoniously together.
Ai Shan，50X50cm，paper based painting，2022
Q9. In addition to being an artist, you are also an educator. How do you balance teaching with your own artistic practice, and how do these two roles inform and complement each other?
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Teaching at Anhui University of Press and Publication, it is my responsibility to impart knowledge and guide students. Teachers often have spare time at their disposal, allowing me to pursue my artistic creations without any interference or conflict with my teaching duties.
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Q10. What advice do you have for aspiring artists who are looking to establish themselves in the art world and make an impact through their work?
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Be yourself, maintain your notion, and keep your passion.
Dialogue，38x38cm，Paper based painting color，2022
《飘》，33X45cm，纸本绘色，2021