Wang Zi

Biography

Wang Zi was born in China on October 1972. He graduated from Anyang Normal College, Fine Art Department in 1994 and in 1997 he furthered his studies in the Center Academic Fine Arts. Wang Zi’s works are characterized by images that have been immortalized by popular culture. In his series of works with Mao Zedong, the leader of the Cultural Revolution of and Marilyn Monroe, the American actress, Wang Zi brings together on his canvas two of the most iconic images of the twentieth century. The interest the series generates are not only due to the impressionistic capturing of Mao and Marilyn in distinctive scenes as we remember them in the past, such as Mao in his robe after swimming or Marilyn in her famous pose from the ‘Seven Year Itch’, but also because these two historical characters are antipodean to each other. The choice of juxtaposing them has great ingenuity behind it exactly because they, or what they represent is so diametrically opposed. Capitalism vs Communism, West vs East, Liberal vs Conservative, Sensual vs Virtuous, the list goes on. The knowledge of opposing history and thus what they represent to the viewer serves as a backdrop to understand Wang Zi’s series better.

Timelines

Exhibitions (selected)

2005      Language & Parable, the Second International Art Festival, 798 Beijing

2005      Yi Shen Guan Shen, Chinese Art Performance Documentary Exhibition, Macau

2004      First Art Performance Festival, 798 Beijing

2003      China National Visual Exhibition