王王孫   Wang, Wang-Sun   1908~2005

Wangsun Wang was born in Chu County, Anhui Province, China. Being talented since his tender age, Wang was dubbed with the nice-sounding appellation of “the child prodigy of calligraphy in Chu County.” Later, he garnered Baozhang Ma’s recognition, and had the chance to learn skills from Baishi Qi and Shigong Shou. His contemporaries went into rhapsodies over his talent. Then he had the opportunity to study archeology in one of the Imperial Universities founded by the Empire of Japan, which laid a solid foundation for his profound knowledge in epigraphy and etymology. As a maverick who disdained everything as well as a man with lofty, unsullied, and courageous character, Wang was praised as “Honorable Wang.” His calligraphic style is robust and powerful, untrammeled yet graceful. He created the character paintings of the Chinese zodiac signs, lending verisimilitude to them with just a few simple strokes. His seal carvings features rigorous composition with robust and resounding strokes. It can be said that Wang’s oeuvre internalized the natural world as well as the ancient aesthetics, pursuing innovation and dancing to nobody’s tune. As a seal-carving geek who had made official seals for seven heads of state, Wang was entirely worthy of the appellation as a scholar with wildly creative personality.