Wang Mengsha

1982, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China

Introduction

Born in 1982 Wuxi, Wang Mengsha grew up in an artistic family. In 2006 she graduated from the Xi’an Academy of Fine Art, having studied animation. Since then she has completed advanced studies at Griffith University, in Queensland Australia, and the University of Southampton, in the United Kingdom. After returning to China, she became a full time artist. She currently lives and works in Beijing and Wuxi.

In her unique ‘Xieyi’ style of paintings, Wang adopts a sense of humor to innovatively combine aspects of traditional paintings of court maidens and beauties with landscape paintings. Akin to the eminent artist Walasse Ting, with whom she shares a hometown, Wang is associated with bright colours and calligraphic strokes. However, as a female artist she applies a feminine perspective to examine the past and look at the future in ways that redefine contemporary ink art in history and modern culture.  

Wang has been honoured with many awards, including in 2009 when the Beijing magazine Chinese Painting selected her as one of "China’s Young Artists Most Deserving of Immediate Media Attention". In 2011 Bazaar Art magazine selected her artwork as one of "The 100 Most Favourite Artworks of the Year". In 2013 the Beijing magazine National Arts awarded her the "Golden Star Prize". She was awarded the "Academic and Artistic Achievement Award: 7th Art Market Value Ranking" by Beijing Business Today and Beijing Association of Auctioneers in 2024 January in Beijing.

Alisan Fine Arts had two solo exhibitions Wang Mengsha, one in 2016 and another in 2024. Group shows include Beyond the Jade Terrace (2014), and HOPE charity exhibition (2018). Two catalogues have been published for the artist. In 2023, the images of Wang’s colourful works were seen travelling from Sheung Wan to North Point on Hong Kong’s iconic tram to promote Ink Asia, a fair dedicated to promoting ink art. 

Her work has been acquired by a trustee of "The Women's Art Collection, a collection of modern and contemporary art by women artists, to be placed on loan at Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge, UK. She has exhibited at the University of Edinburgh Library, UK; Galerie 99, Germany; China Cultural Centre, Tokyo, Japan; International Art Centre, Jeju, South Korea; Today Art Museum, Beijing; Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai; College of Fine Art Nanjing Art Institute, Nanjing, China. We have also showcased her work at various international art fairs in Paris, London, and Singapore.


BIOGRAPHY
1982   Born in Wuxi, Jiangsu, China, grew up in an artistic family
2006   Graduated from Design Department, Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts, Xi’an, China, studied animation
Advanced studies at Griffith University, Queensland, Australia and the University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
2020   Proya cosmetics produced an umbrella printed with Wang Mengsha's painting
Yit online shop produced a round fan embroidered with Wang Mengsha's iconic butterfly and scholar rock
2022   Speaker, Online Talk Series "What Should I Draw?", China
Collaborated with trending indigenous Chinese brand “Guan Xia '' to develop a unique packaging for new fragrance "Suzhou Sweet”
Participated "Bad Book Market'' in Guangzhou
Collaborated product titled “Bobocat x Wang Mengsha” with the online art trading platform “Rodeo Art” in mainland
Interviewed by CGTN TV programme "The Vibe", Beijing, China
2023 Workshop: Multiverse of Montage, Research Centre For Business and Arts, Peking University, Beijing, China
Present   Lives and works in Beijing and Wuxi, China


SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023-2024

2022

  • Multiverse of Montage, To Summer Leisure Courtyard, Shanghai, China
  • Flower Terrace, Tsutaya Books, Shanghai, China

2018

  • Neo-Orientation: Wang Mengsha Solo Exhibition, Space Station, Beijing, China
2017
  • Suspension: Wang Mengsha Solo Exhibition, Triumph Gallery, Beijing, China
2016
2014
  • Early Summer, Aura Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
2013
  • Mind upon Paper, Mycenae Gallery, Moganshan Art Zone, Shanghai, China
  • Dreaming Butterfly, Aura Gallery, Beijing, China
2011
  • New Ink Painting by Wang Mengsha, Galerie 99, Aschaffenburg, Germany
2010
  • Fleeting Years, EPSON Gallery, Shanghai, Beijing, China

 

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2024

2023

2022            

2021            

2020            

2019            

2018            

2017
  • Annual Review of China Contemporary Ink Painting, Ucity Art Museum of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Guangzhou, China
  • Reproduce Soliloquize: Female Artist Invitation Exhibition, Qingdao, China
  • Regne Animal, Gallery 1618, Paris, France
2016
  • The Power of Attention: Ink Painting Works of Young Artists,Today Art Museum, Beijing, China
2015                   
  • Artificial Fairyland: Chinese and South Korean Young Art Exhibition, Jinji Lake Art Museum, Suzhou, China
  • Post-tradition and Its Origins, UCCA Store, Beijing, China
  • Art Space vs Open Borders, Germany & China: International Contemporary Art Exhibition, Art Museum of Nanjing University of Art, Nanjing, China
2014                   
2013    
  • New Formation of Academy, Today Art Museum, Beijing, China
  • New Ink New Youth, New Ink Image Gallery, Beijing, China
  • Dream to be Disappeared: Invitational Exhibition of New Ink Paintings by Young Artists, Shinkong Place, Beijing, China
  • What We Think Can Be Told to the Others: Ink Painting Exhibition, Beyond Art Space, Beijing, China
  • Mind upon Paper: Painting & Calligraphy by Shi Xu, Fan Yang, Wang Mengsha, Zhongshan Art Museum, Guangzhou, China
2012          
  • Theory by Zhuangzi: Nomination Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Young Artists, China National Convention Centre, Beijing, China          
  • Chinese Opera Characters Painting Exhibition, Zhu Qizhan Art Museum, Shanghai, China
  • Vision China: Edinburgh Chinese Ink Painting Exhibition, University of Edinburgh Library, Edinburgh, UK
  • Crisscrossed Ink Painting: Shanghai New Ink Art Exhibition 2012, Duolun Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai, China
2011          
  • 1st Station of Vision China, Asia Travelling Exhibition: Chinese New Ink Paintings, Tokyo Chinese Cultural Centre, Tokyo, Japan
  • New Formation of Academy: New Works by Contemporary Chinese Famous Painters, Keyuan Museum, Dongguan, China
  • Jeju International Contemporary Art Exhibition, Jeju International Art Centre, Jeju, South Korea
  • New Formation of Academy, Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China
  • Meticulous Painting Exhibition by Chinese Young Artists, Bank of China Art Space, Beijing, China
2010
  • Brush and Ink, Noble Mind: Nomination Exhibition of Chinese Painters of the New Generation, Shanxi Art Museum, Xi’an, China
  • Exhibition of Laureates of International Chinese Young Artists, Times Art Museum, Beijing, China
2009          
  • Group Exhibition of China’s 10 Young Artists Most Deserving of Immediate Media Attention, Chinese Painting Magazine Art Space, Beijing, China


SELECTED AWARDS
2009    Selected as one of China’s 10 Young Artists Most Deserving of Immediate Media Attention, Chinese Painting Magazine, Beijing, China
Awarded The Most Outstanding Young Artists in China
Selected to participate in the International Young Artists Festival, China
2011    Selected as one of The 100 Most Favourite Artworks of the Year, Bazaar Art, China
2013    Golden Star Prize, National Arts Magazine, Beijing, China
2018    Nominated China Young Artist Award, Beijing, China
2021    Top 10 Artistic Value Award, Beijing, China
2024    Academic and Artistic Achievement Award, 7th Art Market Value Ranking, Beijing Business Today and Beijing Association of Auctioneers, Beijing, China


SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Trustee of "The Women's Art Collection", Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge, UK

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2011 Illusion: Wang Mengsha, Today Art Museum, Beijing, China
2014 Beyond the Jade Terrace, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
2016 Wang Mengsha: Gardens, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong
2022 Events in My Universe, Send Points Publishing, Guangzhou, China