
Wang Mengsha
Born: 1982
Hometown: Wuxi
Based in: Wuxi
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. 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 currently lives and works in Beijing and Wuxi.
Alisan Fine Arts had a solo exhibition for her in 2016 and the group shows Beyond the Jade Terrace (2014), HOPE charity exhibition and Art 021 in Shanghai (2018), Taipei Dangdai (2019), and Art Basel Hong Kong (2021). Two catalogues have been published for the artist.
Her work has been recently acquired by a trustee of the New Hall 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.
Credentials
Education
Design Department, animation, Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts, Xi’an
China, 2006
Advanced study, Griffith University, Queensland
Australia, 2006
Advanced study, University of Southampton, Southampton
United Kingdom, 2006
Awards
Top 10 Artistic Value Award, Beijing, China
2021
Nominated China Young Artist Award, Beijing, China
2018
Golden Star Prize, National Arts Magazine, Beijing, China
2013
Selected as 100 Most Favourite Artworks of the Year, China
2011
10 Young Artists Most Deserving of Immediate Media Attention
2009
Exhibitions
Flower Terrace, Tsutaya Books, Shanghai
China, 2022
Affordable Art, Alisan Fine Arts
Hong Kong, 2021
Art Basel Hong Kong, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
Hong Kong, 2021
Art 021 Platform, online viewing room, Alisan Fine Arts, Shanghai
China, 2020
1st Taipei Dangdai, Alisan Fine Arts, Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Taipei
Taiwan, 2019
HOPE charity exhibition, Alisan Fine Arts
Hong Kong, 2018
Art 021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair 2018, Alisan Fine Arts, Shanghai Exhibition Centre, Shanghai
China, 2018
Annual Review of China Contemporary Ink Painting, Ucity Art Museum of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Guangzhou
China, 2017
Wang Mengsha: Gardens, Alisan Fine Arts
Hong Kong, 2016
Post-tradition and Its Origins, UCCA Store, Beijing
China, 2015
Beyond the Jade Terrace, Alisan Fine Arts
Hong Kong, 2014
New Formation of Academy, Today Art Museum, Beijing
China, 2013
Vision China: Edinburgh Chinese Ink Painting Exhibition, University of Edinburgh Library, Edinburgh
United Kingdom, 2012
Jeju International Contemporary Art Exhibition, Jeju International Art Centre, Jeju
South Korea, 2011