Wang Mansheng

Abstract

Poet-critic and art curator Mai Mang organized the exhibition Wang Mansheng: From Silk Road to Hudson River at Connecticut College in early 2020. It presents Chinese artist Wang Mansheng’s journey over the past thirty years finding his roots and searching for new origins across two continents: from the Silk Road where he first felt inspired by traditional literati art as well as Buddhist art to the Hudson River Valley where he has resided since 1998 and has explored new themes such as freedom and the use of the “useless” through new mediums. More importantly, this exhibition also gives us an opportunity to delve into some of the fascinating dilemmas with which Wang has wrestled along the journey of his growth and evolution as an artist. Ultimately, Wang proclaims a quiet yet persistent stance of carving out an independent space for himself and his art, transcending contemporary chaos and strife.