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Forum > Articles > Chinese Prints > Wang Renfeng - born 1918

Wang Renfeng

Wang Renfeng at work
copyright Wang Renfeng

Wang Renfeng is one of the co-founders and mentors of the modern woodblock movement that started in the 1930s in China. The beginning of the modern Chinese woodblock printmaking is closely connected with the writer and scholar Lu Xun. It was his influence that made Wang Renfeng a woodblock printmaker and an important painter in Chinese art history of the 20th century.

Short Biography

Wang Renfeng was born in 1918 in Quanjiao in Anhui Province. At a young age he learned traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy from his grandfather, a professional painter.

In 1936 he began to make his first woodblock carvings under the influence of Lu Xun. The following years were over-shadowed by the Japanese invasion of China. Wang Renfeng joined the resistance against the Japanese aggression.

Later, Wang Renfeng became an art teacher at Yucai School in Chongqing. He became active in establishing the new Chinese woodcarving movement, organized exhibitions in Chengdu, Chonqing and in Shanghai.

During the years of civil war from 1945 until 1949, when the Peoples' Republic of China was proclaimed, the artist went to South China as a military correspondent.

During the 1950s Wang Renfeng was transferred to Beijing, where he was active in the Association for Culture and Literature. In 1980 he was nominated deputy secretary of the Chinese Graphic Art Association. In the same year he was appointed as a permanent staff painter of Beijing Art Academy.

Wang's Art Style

Wang Renfeng

Wang Renfeng (right) with his teacher
copyright Wang Renfeng

Wang Renfeng is active in many fields of modern art. He is good in traditional painting, woodblock printing and in calligraphy. He is also a recognized writer.

The artist's style is traditional in his paintings and in calligraphy. His woodblock prints are influenced by Soviet Realism and by the works of the German artist Käthe Kollwitz.

The Japanese publication "World Art" listed him as one of 6 modern Chinese painters.

Exhibitions

Our information about Wang Renfeng is based on material that was published in the 1980s, when the artist exhibited in Tübingen, Germany. The German press had covered his visit in Germany widely.

• 1943 - Art Exhibition in Chengdou, Sichuan Province.
• 1944 - Art Exhibition with paintings in traditional style, woodblocks, water colors and sketches.
• 1945 - Woodblock Group Exhibition of new Chinese artists in Chongqing, China.
• 1946 - Exhibition of Sketches and drawings in Chongqing, China.
• 1947 - Exhibition of paintings in Shanghai, China.
• 1981 - Solo Exhibition in Nanjing Art Gallery, Jiangsu Province.
• 1982 - Solo Exhibition in Xiamen (Amoy), Fujian.
• 1982 - Solo Exhibition in Chongqing, China.
• 1983 - Art Exhibition in Tuzhou, Anhui Province.
• 1984 - Exhibition of Paintings, art gallery Shan Dong, Jinan, Shandong Province.
• 1984 - Exhibition of Paintings in Qindao, Shandong Province.

The following international exhibitions are know to us:

Wang Renfeng

Planning of Water Regulation, 1955
copyright Wang Renfeng

• 1942 - Exhibition of Chinese woodblock prints in the former Soviet Union.
• 1981 - Exhibition in Lyon, France - organized by the association for French-Chinese friendship in commemoration of 50 years of modern Chinese graphic works.
• 1981 - Hongkong Art Exhibition in commemoration of 50 years of modern Chinese graphic works.
• 1981 - Art Exhibition in Kanakawa, Japan in commemoration of the 100th birthday of Lu Xun.
• 1981 - Ink drawings and woodblock prints at the University of Tübingen, Germany,

Collections and Museums

Wang Renfeng

Canyon with River, 1984
copyright Wang Renfeng

Wang Renfeng's art works are in a number of national and international museums.

• Art Museum of Tianjin, China.
• Museum of Chongqin, China.
• Art Gallery of Jiangsu Province, China.
• Art Gallery of Shandong Province, China.
• Lu Xun Commemorative Hall of Sun-Yatsen University in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
• Lu Xun Commemorative Hall of Xiamen University, China,
• Oriental Museum, former Soviet Union.
• Art Museum of Kanakawa, Japan.
• Museum of Two World Wars, Paris, France.

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