17 September – 6 October 2008

The Fullerton Hotel One Fullerton Square #01-08 Singapore 049178

As an arts educator and administrator, Wucius Wong (B. 1936) is among the first to bring Western Modernist theories and concepts to Hong Kong through his critical writings and organised events. He has helped develop and implement a comprehensive and systematic course of design which had nurtured a generation of outstanding designers.

The integration of design geometry and majestic landscape characterise the paintings of Wucius Wong. The principles of graphic design form the backbone of his composition. Mountainous masses heave to align themselves with mirroring planes and neatly folding lines; winding rivers turn course to defer to geometry. At the heart of Wucius Wong’s painting, there lies an artistic vision that governs the terrain and streams. His landscape is solitary and serene, and its vision aspires to the poetic and nostalgic, a quality similar to Wong’s literary style. The breath-taking monumentality of the Chinese landscape is reconstructed from its deconstructive phase. Fragmented rivers reunite but now in forms of cracked jades or intricate geometric shapes. Nature turns into a kaleidoscope of fragments, surreal and intricate, and is recreated within one’s mind. Having accomplished the ambitious combination of Western design concepts with classical Chinese ink painting, Wong attempted to carry the design geometry further into his calligraphic works. The principles of graphic design and the interplay between brushstrokes and negative space form the backbone of his calligraphy. Instead of solid black ink on white paper, works with characters of different tones against vigorously painted and geometrically designed background occupy the majority of his calligraphy, bringing this very traditional Chinese art form into a new ground.

 

For further information or artwork enquiry please contact enquiry@ipreciation.com or 65 6339 0678