Interview
Wenxin Wang
Wenxin Wang is a distinguished Chinese-born artist who earned his Master of Arts from the Luxun Academy of Fine Arts. Now a member of the Society of Canadian Artists (SCA), Wang has made a notable mark in the international art scene with exhibitions in New York, London, Paris, Milan, and Hong Kong. His works have been collected by esteemed institutions, including the Art Museum of Luxun Academy of Fine Arts, and featured in art columns and interviews worldwide. Through a fusion of contemporary Western aesthetics and Oriental imagery, Wang crafts an emotional expression uniquely his own. Wang’s oeuvre explores a dynamic interplay of color, form, and movement, often employing acrylics on canvas to create vivid abstractions.
His recent works, such as “Restless Soul” and “Peach Blossoms,” demonstrate a mastery of visual rhythm, where brushstrokes and textures dance across the canvas with an intensity and fluidity that evoke both strength and sensitivity. Wang’s compositions are rich with contrasts and layered spaces, inviting viewers to experience a depth that echoes musical arrangements, with visual elements playing off one another in harmonic resonance. In analyzing Wang’s pieces, one can discern echoes of both Western abstraction and Eastern calligraphic traditions. His energetic brushstrokes and gestural lines bring to mind the works of Abstract Expressionists, while his deliberate attention to spatial balance and poetic mood draws from Chinese landscape painting. Like Wassily Kandinsky, who believed in the spiritual resonance of color and form, Wang imbues his canvases with a rhythm that feels akin to a visual symphony. Each brushstroke and mark pulses with emotion, guiding the viewer through layers of color and texture that hint at Wang’s inner landscape. What sets Wenxin Wang apart is his remarkable ability to convey movement and feeling with a disciplined yet intuitive approach. His artworks are not just visual experiences but immersive journeys, transporting audiences into an abstract world that feels both familiar and novel. Through the calculated interweaving of dots, lines, and planes, Wang achieves a level of expression that resonates on a deeply emotional level, leaving an indelible impression of both tranquility and vigor. His work serves as a testament to the universal language of art, bridging cultures and emotions through a harmonious blend of technique and passion.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was born in China and pursued both my undergraduate and graduate studies in painting at the Luxun Academy of Fine Arts, earning a Master of Fine Arts degree. During my postgraduate years, I had the privilege of studying composition under Professor Ulrich Klieber, then President of the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design in Germany, within a studio established at Luxun Academy. Currently, I reside in Toronto, Canada. From a young age, I was deeply passionate about painting, poetry, philosophy, and music. Encouraged by my family, I had the opportunity to learn painting from esteemed artists. I devoted nearly all my free time to drawing, reading poetry, and listening to music; occasionally, I would write poems and play the piano - a practice that continues to this day. In adulthood, my appreciation for the violin and symphonic music deepened, especially as my wife serves as a violin professor at the China Conservatory of Music. Music, poetry, and philosophy have profoundly influenced my artistic creations.”
What inspires you?
“Initially, my engagement with painting stemmed from pure passion. I explored various styles - from representational to abstract, classical to contemporary, and mediums ranging from ink to oil, acrylic, and mixed media. Through continuous experimentation, I moved beyond conventional concepts, focusing instead on expressing personal emotions. As I matured and gained more life experience, I sought to transcend personal limitations, striving for deeper artistic expression. My unwavering love for painting, coupled with a broad artistic perspective and nourishment from related arts, propels me forward, resisting stagnation.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Throughout different stages of my artistic journey, I’ve explored various themes. Currently, my work centers on the ‘Hymn of Life’ series, reflecting my personal experiences, emotions, and contemplations. This series also responds to the callings of our contemporary era, aiming to resonate with the universal human condition.”
How would you describe your work?
“Painting serves as a crystallization of emotional expression. As an artist, I endeavor to invite viewers into my inner world, allowing the ambiance of my works to evoke resonance within them. In the creative process, I channel my internal feelings, personal experiences, and their interplay - encompassing musical, philosophical, and literary influences - into visual form. My artworks are deeply rooted in genuine life experiences.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Henri Matisse, Joan Mitchell, Anselm Kiefer, and Gerhard Richter have profoundly influenced my artistic development, each contributing uniquely to my understanding and approach to art.”
“Painting serves as a crystallization of emotional expression. As an artist, I endeavor to invite viewers into my inner world, allowing the ambiance of my works to evoke resonance within them.”
What is your creative process like?
“Before commencing a piece, I often immerse myself in poetry, violin concertos, symphonies, and other musical compositions to cultivate a conducive creative atmosphere. Facing the canvas, I subjectively arrange forms and colors to convey the intended emotions. During the painting process, I interweave points, lines, and planes, modulate brushwork intensity and fluidity, and adjust spatial composition, color schemes, and structural elements. This approach allows my emotions to be vividly manifested on the canvas, striving for a poetic ambiance and the transmission of musical rhythm.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Artists serve as both reflectors and guides within society. Through our works, we convey thoughts, emotions, and social concerns, stimulating public contemplation and empathy. In the future, the role of artists will undergo profound transformation, transcending traditional creator identities to become pioneers of the human spiritual realm and leaders in interdisciplinary collaboration.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“My previous exhibitions include: Abstraction - 2025, Gaia 2025 Group Exhibition, Unreal Juried art exhibition, Color Juried art exhibition, among others.”
Website: wenxinart.com
Instagram: @wenxinwang979
