Wei Ligang
1964, Datong, Shanxi, China
Introduction
Originally trained in mathematics and Chinese calligraphy, Wei Ligang has undoubtedly tapped into his analytical genius to revolutionize traditional calligraphy. Initially playing with the traditional rules and structures of classic calligraphy, Wei has since pushed past textual playfulness into a purely abstract form. He is well known for his “Wei squares” formula in which individual characters are deconstructed and reformed within the boundaries of a square (or circular) shape, resulting in the abstraction of traditional forms, while maintaining their roots in Chinese culture. Recently he has been experimenting with new materials like lacquer and propylene, attempting to bridge the divide between avant-garde calligraphy and Western art forms.
Wei, a recipient of the prestigious 2005 Asian Cultural Council Fellowship for Visual Art, has garnered recognition through his participation in various exhibitions. Notably, he was featured in the group show Brushes with Surprise: The Art of Calligraphy in Modern China at the British Museum in the UK (2002). Additionally, he has held solo exhibitions including China in Ink & Wash at the Shanghai Art Museum (2006), Wei Ligang Calligraphy Art at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing (2007), and Universality at the Zhi Art Museum in Chengdu (2019). Furthermore, his solo exhibition titled The Divine Matrix is currently on view at GIO Art Centre in Beijing, and major retrospective at the Datong Art Museum in Shanxi from September 14-October 31, 2024.
Wei, a recipient of the prestigious 2005 Asian Cultural Council Fellowship for Visual Art, has garnered recognition through his participation in various exhibitions. Notably, he was featured in the group show Brushes with Surprise: The Art of Calligraphy in Modern China at the British Museum in the UK (2002). Additionally, he has held solo exhibitions including China in Ink & Wash at the Shanghai Art Museum (2006), Wei Ligang Calligraphy Art at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing (2007), and Universality at the Zhi Art Museum in Chengdu (2019). Furthermore, his solo exhibition titled The Divine Matrix is currently on view at GIO Art Centre in Beijing, and major retrospective at the Datong Art Museum in Shanxi from September 14-October 31, 2024.
Alisan has worked with Wei Ligang since 2004 and held three solo exhibitions for him (2006, 2015, 2020). We included his works in the ACC Fellows group show in 2011 & 2018, Ink Asia 2015, and four times at Art Basel Hong Kong (2013,2015, 2018, 2023), as well as ART SG 2023 & 2024. His works are collected by the British Museum, London, UK; Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, USA; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, USA; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, USA; Cernuschi Museum, Paris, France; Francois- Henri Pinault Family, France; National Museum of China, Beijing, China; Hong Kong Museum of Art.
BIOGRAPHY
1964 Born in Datong City, Shanxi, China
1975 Learned Chinese opera and painting from his father when he was a child
1981 Graduated from Nankai University, Tianjin, China, with a major in mathematics
Student of famous Tianjin calligraphers Li Henian , Wang Xuezhong and Sun Boxiang
1985 Taught mathematics in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
Began to study Fushan style calligraphy
1989 Published Wei Ligang’s Calligraphy and Seal Carving
1991 Graduated from an advanced course at Sha Menghai Calligraphy College, Ningbo, China
1992 Documentary programme , Fen River Loves You produced by UNICEF introducing his modern calligraphy
1995 Settled in Beijing, China
Guest lecturer at Qinghua University, Beijing, China
Established Song Feng Xuan Gallery, Beijing, China, the first gallery to showcase modern calligraphy
1998 Attended symposium The Development of Chinese Modern Calligraphy, Gaoyou, Jiangsu, China
Vice president of Chinese Modern Calligraphy Association and Director of its reviewing committee
1999 Published Calligraphy Album Pseudo-Masters
Organized Bashu Parade-99 Chengdu, Retrospective of Chinese Modern Calligraphy at the End of 20th Century with Pu Lieping
2000 Reuters produced a special programme introducing his modern calligraphy
2001 Invited to give a lecture on Chinese calligraphy in Australia
Organized 4-artists group exhibition The Dimension of Chinese Characters, Beijing, China
Organized Zero Degree Project, a Chinese contemporary behavior art and installation show, Beijing, China
Guest of symposia, He Xiang Ning Art Gallery, Shenzhen; Artist Commune, Hong Kong
2004 Opened the Senior Modern Calligraphic Workshop at Artist Commune, Hong Kong
2005 Fellowship grantee of Asian Cultural Council Hong Kong
Travelled to New York to do research on recent development in contemporary art, and visited American Abstract artist Brice Marden’s studio
Professor of Beijing Normal University Zhuhai Campus, Guangdong, China
2011 Established International Shuxiang Society, Beijing, China
2017 Established Wei's Private Museum, Jiangxi, China
Invited to create logo plaque for Royal Huntsman
2021 Invited by Powerlong Museum, Shanghai to curate the exhibition featuring Japanese artist Yu-Ichi Inoue's modern calligraphy works
2022 Wei's new book Taking Chinese Characters as a Starting Point, How Can Calligraphy Illustrate Universality, published by Zhi Art Museum, Chengdu, China
2023 Collaborated with high fashion brand Dries Van Noten to develop the interior design for its Chengdu shop
Instructor, Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Art Workshop, Hangzhou, China
Present Vice-President of Modern Calligraphy Art Association of China
Member of Beijing Art Committee of China Democratic League
President of International Shuxiang Society
Lives and works in Beijing, China
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024
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Wei Ligang: All Forms Are as They Are, Datong Art Museum, Shanxi, China (14 Sept-31Oct, 2024)
- The Divine Matrix: Wei Ligang New Work, GIO China Rennaisance Art Centre, Beijing, China (21 July-18 October)
2019
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Wei Ligang: Universality, Zhi Art Museum, Chengdu, China
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Wei Ligang: Luminous Birds, Gajah Gallery, Singapore
- Feast Gold, Art Taipei, Taipei World Trade Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
- The Opening Exhibition for Wei's Private Museum, Jiangxi, China
- Beyond Three Perfections, Ireland Dublin Castel, Ireland
- Thinking Ink, Gajah Gallery, Singapore
- Songs of the Phoenix Mirror, Ink Studio, Beijing, China
- Universal Things Examine: 20 Years Retrospective Exhibition, Beijing 3 Gallery, Beijing, China
- Wei’s Ink Garden, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
- Peacock, F-L gallery, Paris, France
- Wei Ligang New Works Show, Michael Goedhuis, London, UK
- Wei Ligang: Chinese Palaces, Michael Goedhuis, New York, USA
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Zao Jian Wei’s Shi Xiang, Being 3 Gallery, Beijing, China
- Banquet of Magnificence-Shu Xiang: Wei Ligang, Being 3 Gallery, Beijing, China
- Gold Union: 2010 Graphimage by Wei Ligang, Contrasts Gallery, Shanghai, China
- China New Ink Painting, Goedhuis Contemporary, New York, USA
- Performance Calligraphy, Panties Castles, France
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Wei Ligang: The New Ink Painting, Goedhuis Contemporary, New York, USA
- Zhi Kan: Wei Ligang’s Calligraphic Art Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
- Oriental Toem: Wei Ligang & Wash Exhibition, Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China
- China in Ink & Wash: Works by Wei Ligang, Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China
- New Works by Wei Ligang, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
- On the Journey, He Xiang Ning Art Museum, Shenzhen, China
- Diary in Rongcheng, Taiyuan, China
- Worms, To Make Chinese Characters Cursive, Beijing, China
- Retrospective Exhibition of Calligraphy & Seal Carving, Taiyuan, China
- Calligraphy & Seal Carving, Tianjin; Beijing; Taiyuan, China
- Calligraphy, Paintings and Seal Carving, Tianjin, China
- Calligraphy Exchange between Kagawa University Japan and Nankai University, Tianjin, China
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024-2025
- The Journey of Ink: Modern and Contemporary Chinese Paintings from the Musée Cernuschi, Bund One Art Museum, Shanghai, China
- Word Play, Alisan Fine Arts, Central, Hong Kong
- The Pine-Soughing Valleys, Liu Haisu Art Museum, Shanghai, China (Sept 15-Oct 15, 2024)
- Themes and Variations, Alisan Fine Arts-New York Gallery, New York, USA
- Calling for Chinese Voices: Contemporary Chinese Ink Painting, Renke Art Gallery, Hangzhou, China
- The Spirit - Invitational Exhibition of Chinese Calligraphic Art, Jing Bai Nian Art Gallery, Zhuhai, China
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ART SG 2024, Alisan Fine Arts, Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
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Ink Asia, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
- Ksana: Capturing the Moment, GIO China Rennaisance Art Centre, Beijing, China
- Substance and Elegance: A Narrative on Calligraphy, GIO China Rennaisance Art Centre, Beijing, China
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Kunming Art Biennale: Writing and Boundary, Yunnan Art Museum, Kunming, China
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Art Basel Hong Kong, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
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Inaugural Art SG, Alisan Fine Arts, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore
- By the People: Creative Chinese Characters, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
- Being, Zhi Art Museum, Chengdu, China
- Ink Mountains, Twin Peaks: Wei Ligang & Inoue Yuichi, Yangyun International Community, Shanghai, China
- Art Gallery's Eyes III, Art Museum of Chengdu Art Academy, Chengdu, China
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Invitation Exhibition of Creative Calligraphy in China, Eastern Creative Calligraphy Institute, Shenzhen, China
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Taipei Dangdai, Alisan Fine Arts, Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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Writing Non-writing: Hangzhou International Modern Calligraphy Exhibition, Art Museum of China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
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Spearhead: Invitational Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Ink Wash, Ming Yuan Art Museum, Shanghai, China
- Art Canton, Guangzhou Liuhua Exhibition and Trade Centre, Guangzhou, China
- The Voice of the Brush Part 2, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
- Chinese Abstraction, Art Basel Hong Hong, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
- MoInk: Contemporary Art Invitational Exhibition, Chun Art Museum, Shanghai, China
- Masterpiece London, Goedhus Contemporary, London, UK
- Changing China: Contemporary Ink Art, Michael Goedhuis, New York, USA
- Christie's Spring: Contemporary Asian Art, Christie's, Hong Kong
- Art 021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair, Shanghai Exhibition Centre, Shanghai, China
2015
2010
SELECTED PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
British Museum, London, UK
Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, USA
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, USA
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, USA
International Education Fund, USA
Lucy Billingsley, Crow Collection of Asian Art, USA
Bank of Switzerland, Switzerland
Credit Suisse, Switzerland
Origo Family Foundation, Switzerland
Francois-Henri Pinault Family, France
Cernuschi Museum, Paris, France
Buchmann Museum, Berlin, Germany
National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
Today Art Museum, Beijing, China
Capital Club, Beijing, China
China Red Cross Society of China, Beijing, China
Swiss Chamber of Commerce in China, China
Daming Hall, Beijing, China
Chengdu International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Chengdu, China
Xunyao Chinese Characters Art Museum, Chengdu, China
Bizhen Art Foundation, Shenzhen, China
He Xiangning Art Museum, Shenzhen, China
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
Artist Commune, Hong Kong
Rotary Club, Hong Kong
Bank of Macau, Macau
- Art Basel Hong Kong, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
- Tracing the Brush, Transformed Text, Ink Asia, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
- Writing Non-writing, Art Museum of China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
- Fine Art Asia Preview Exhibition: A Feast For the Eyes, Alisan Fine Arts, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Essence of Contemporary Chinese Ink, Art Basel Hong Kong, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
2010
- New Ink Art, ART HK 10, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
- The Orchid Pavilion: The Art of Writing in China, Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Brussels, Belgium
- 1st Chinese Ink Travelling Exhibition, Linzhou; Shanghai; Beijing, China
- Ink and Non-ink, Eastern Europe Travelling Exhibition, Museum of Cesarski Palace, Poland; Museum of Hungarian Agricultural, Hungary; National Museum of Contemporary Art, Romania; Sculpture Museum of Academy of Sciences and Arts, Croatia
- Hong Kong International Arts & Antiques Fair, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
- Ink Painting, Calligraphy: The Third Abstraction, Contrasts Gallery, Shanghai, China
- Calligraphy-Painting, Huangcheng Art Mseum, Beijing, China
- New Scene of Ink Art, Dresden National Museum of Art, Dresden, Germany
- Ink and Non-ink, Shenzhen Art Museum, Shenzhen, China
- Calligraphy Performing Art, Chateau Padiès, France
- The Colour of Water, Today Art Museum, Beijing, China
- One Hundred layers of Ink: Yang Jiechang and Recent Works of Wei Ligang, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
- Poetry and Calligraphy Performance: China and France, Beijing, China
- 2nd Exhibition by Artists of Song Zhuang Ink Union, Beijing, China
- Chengdu Biennial, Chengdu Contemporary Art Museum, Chengdu, China
- Contemporary Ink Art Exhibition, Shifang Art Museum, Zhengzhou, China
- Long Menzhen: Modern Calligraphy by Ten Artists, Luoyang Art Museum, Luoyang, China
- Chinese Ink Painting During the Past Thirty Years, Nanjing, China
- Modernity in Ink and Wash: Exhibition by Artists of Song Zhuang Ink Union, Beijing, China
- Cursive Calligraphy, Performance collaborated with modern dancer Yin Mei, New York City University, New York, USA
- The Act of Writing and Non-writing: The Open Space for Chinese Calligraphy, International Exhibition of Modern Calligraphy, China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China
- Crossing Boundaries: Works by Asian Cultural Council Fellows 2005, Lee Garden, Hong Kong
- Ink and Diffusion: International Exhibition of Modern Calligraphy, Seoul, South Korea
- Chinese Characters As a Resource, 4A Gallery, Sydney, Australia
- Chinese Characters: A Confusing Situation, Today Art Museum, Beijing, China
- 2 Ink Brushes, Chinese Calligraphy Bi-exhibition: Jat Seeyeu-Classical Hong Kong; Wei Ligang-Contemporary Beijing, Artist Commune, Hong Kong
- International Contemporary Art of Ink, Xi’an, China
- New Experiences in Chinese Characters and Its Writing During the Past Twenty Years, Artist Commune, Hong Kong
- Brushes with Surprise: The Art of Calligraphy in Modern China, British Museum, London, UK
- The International Calligraphy Literature, Taiwan Museum of Fines Art, Taichung, Taiwan
- Bashu Parade-99 Chengdu, Retrospective of Chinese Modern Calligraphy at the End of the Century, Chengdu, China
- New Main Line Salon Exhibition, Taiyuan, China
- Seven Painters of Yuanming Yuan, Beijing, China
- Chinese Masters in Modern Calligraphy, Liuzhou, China
- 1st International Biennale of Modern Calligraphy, Hangzhou, China
- Exhibition of Calligraphy: Shanxi China and Saitama Japan, Taiyuan, China
SELECTED PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
British Museum, London, UK
Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, USA
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, USA
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, USA
International Education Fund, USA
Lucy Billingsley, Crow Collection of Asian Art, USA
Bank of Switzerland, Switzerland
Credit Suisse, Switzerland
Origo Family Foundation, Switzerland
Francois-Henri Pinault Family, France
Cernuschi Museum, Paris, France
Buchmann Museum, Berlin, Germany
National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
Today Art Museum, Beijing, China
Capital Club, Beijing, China
China Red Cross Society of China, Beijing, China
Swiss Chamber of Commerce in China, China
Daming Hall, Beijing, China
Chengdu International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Chengdu, China
Xunyao Chinese Characters Art Museum, Chengdu, China
Bizhen Art Foundation, Shenzhen, China
He Xiangning Art Museum, Shenzhen, China
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
Artist Commune, Hong Kong
Rotary Club, Hong Kong
Bank of Macau, Macau
Wei Squares-Rock Tree, Horned Beast
2024 | 125x125cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Wei Squares-Twin Towers, Bamboo Forest
2024 | 125x125cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Mid-Summer Pavilion
2019 | 119x122cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Butterflies in the Cloud
2014 | 68x68cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Wei's Landscapes, Birds and Flowers: Dream of Birds
2023 | 180x98cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Wei's Landscapes, Birds and Flowers: Pine Trees in Gorge
2023 | 180x98cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Golden Plum Blossoms - Flute
2018 | 96x180cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Lotus Pond in Evening
2023 | 137x138cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Peacock – Magnificent
2013 | 180x96.5cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Peacock - Emerald Green Cloud
2017 | 180x96cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Tea Ceremony in the Nature
2012 | 96x180cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
A Ravine Full of Lush Trees
2014 | 180x96.5cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Deer Carts with Flocks of Birds
2020 | 180.4x97cm x2 | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Fiery Trees and Silver Flowers
2011 | 180x96cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Gold Ancient Script
2010 | 180X96cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Snowy Cushions
2020 | 94x173.8cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Jade Island
2020 | 98.5x181cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Beautiful Land
2020 | 181x98cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Treasure Ware
2020 | 181x97.7cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
Overlapping
2020 | 181x97cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper
The King’s Concubine – Dai
2014 | 61x96cm | Chinese ink & acrylic on rice paper