WANG DONGLING (B. 1945)

Renowned internationally for combining calligraphy practice, performance and installation art, Wang Dongling received traditional calligraphy training and was an apprentice of calligrapher Lin Sanzhi. He once claimed that “the brush has become an extension of my body. Calligraphy has been my calling, my life, and my aspiration.” As an artist and an active advocate for contemporary calligraphy, Wang combines action and spirit to turn calligraphy practice from flat art to expressive performance. Wang promotes the versatility of calligraphy, where the format, subject and presentation can be relevant to contemporary society, resulting in abstract calligraphic works that interact harmoniously with its surroundings and its audience. A major retrospective is being held at the Zhejiang Museum of Art from October to November in 2021 to celebrate Wang Dongling’s long and distinguished career and his contribution to the art of writing.