Wang Yingsheng was born to his family, and his father, Wang Jixiang, was an influential art teacher at Shenqiu Normal School in Henan. When he discovered that Ying Sheng was already talented in painting by the age of six or seven, he devoted himself to professional tutoring until he was admitted to the art department of Henan University. Because of this, turning to Yingsheng, in my interpersonal cognition, Wang Yingsheng's affectionate filial piety to his parents is impressive. And his extraordinary diligence and achievements on the road of artistic growth are just like this sizable solo exhibition held for him in his hometown of Henan Province today (the opening date of the solo exhibition, January 2, 2024 - editor's note)! - This is the best reward for his parents so "to have today"!
This makes me feel very proud to have such an outstanding doctoral student as Wang Yingsheng, and at the same time, I deeply respect the far-sighted guidance of the two elders!
Wang Yingsheng is knowledgeable, attaches great importance to affection and righteousness, and cherishes every teacher and friend who has acquaintances in the process of studying, such as Wang Wei, Ding Zhongyi, Fu Zhiming, Li Yuanxing, Liu Pantong, Ma Ling, and Mr. Ma Guoqiang, whom he regards as a mentor and helpful friend, in the Art Department of Henan University...... Wang Yingsheng is still grateful for their profound influence on his painting and cultivation over the past decades. His feeling of not forgetting his original intention is not a kind of feeling compared to some "famous" who boast of being self-taught, or only mentioning one or two celebrities who can be stained.
Wang Yingsheng "A Generation of Tianjiao, Genghis Khan"
He said that after he was 16 years old, he often went to Beijing to seek advice from Yang Gang, and asked Yu Lu Shen and Zhou Sicong. These three deceased people, in my opinion, are "painters among painters and teachers among teachers" in the contemporary Chinese painting world! At the Academy of Fine Arts, they are also my mentors and friends. Yingsheng can benefit from their influence, and it is a kind of wisdom to choose knowledge. He said he had been looking for me at that time, and I said, I don't remember.
In 1995, he was admitted to the Chinese Painting Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and became a graduate student of Mr. Hu Bo. Mr. Hu Bo felt that the Academy of Fine Arts was about to lose a rare talent, so in a hurry, he went to the mural department to find me to express his feelings, and took me to see Wang Yingsheng's graduation work that was being painted. I went to see it, and when I looked at the paintings, it can be said that it was a clear feeling, but it moved me to believe in Hu Bo's vision and feelings of cherishing talents.
For the mural department where I work, I need such a "Chinese painting teacher" with solid modeling skills and both work and writing skills. Two years ago, when the college applied for a scientific research project to a higher funding institution, I filled in a topic on the research of the protection and restoration of traditional Chinese murals. Although, I put forward "alarmistly": "In view of the current situation of traditional murals in China's historical relics, this topic has the significance of 'rising and falling' for the study of traditional principles, and there is an imminent sense of urgency!" "However, what makes me deeply disappointed is that this proposal has completely failed to arouse the awareness of on-site review experts and relevant leaders! I was "invalidated", and I had a sense of loneliness and helplessness in failure!
If the Department of Mural Painting of the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) lacks the teaching of traditional Chinese mural painting theories and techniques, and if it does not receive the corresponding investigation and research funds and becomes a weakness in the teaching progress, how can we face our ancestors as an institution of CAFA mural teaching? Why talk about "cultural self-confidence"? So, no matter how helpless I am, I must not give up. At this time, I "intuitively" saw a glimmer of hope in Wang Ying's paintings that were both written and long-lasting, a kind of latent vision that could be trusted and expected. I said to Huber, "Thank you, we want it." ”
In the following 20 years, thanks to Wang Yingsheng's joining, the study and practice of traditional Chinese mural painting became the focus of teaching in the first studio of the mural painting department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts.
Wang Yingsheng "A Generation of Tianjiao, Genghis Khan"
Wang Yingsheng has both the theoretical knowledge of the Chinese painting tradition and the skill of brush and ink skills, and he has shown far more resilience and patience than me in applying for the "original intention" of the topic of "Teaching, Conservation and Restoration of Traditional Chinese Murals". Since 1997, he has continued to improve the content of this "declaration" topic, put forward more feasible plans and plans, and repeatedly affirmed its "general righteousness". Until the early summer of 2009, we finally waited for the opportunity of "time, place, and people"! This project received more than 10 million yuan in funding - we have it! ——Special funds for the purchase of advanced instruments and equipment that need to be imported and the corresponding inspection funds!
The so-called "time and opportunity" coincidence, not to mention the "project" of repainting the murals after the restoration of the three ancient temples in Datong, Shanxi. I said to Yingsheng: "This will be a godsend for us to repay the scientific research results of the project, and at the same time, it is also an excellent time to train the team!" As long as we don't lose money, we will take it! "In the following four years, we strictly followed the experience of traditional murals, according to the records of the original Buddhist content of the three major temples, in accordance with the style and shape of the murals of the Liao Dynasty, and listened to the suggestions of Buddhist mural archaeologists - according to the content of the original murals of the three major temples, we repeatedly made rigorous line drawing design drafts and color drafts with ancient style; Strictly according to the traditional process procedures, do the wall foundation, especially strictly do the ground layer, painting layer, and then in a 1:1 ratio of the line drawing on the wall, strictly select high-quality mineral pigments, drain powder, paste foil, pure real money. Referring to the murals of Dunhuang, Yongle Palace, Fahai Temple and key temples in Shanxi - in pursuit of its high level. After four cold and summer, the painting of more than 4,000 square meters of wall was completed, which is antique, and it is also a reconstruction of the "retro" context.
Wang Yingsheng "All Nations Come to Dynasty"
After four years of acquaintance and acquaintance, Geng Yanbo, the mayor of Datong, who couldn't help but have doubts at the beginning, also praised convincingly: "Eliminate objections, and finally decide that your teachers and students of the Mural Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts will fully undertake this project, and we have found the right person." I dare to say, look at the effect, in terms of level, you are not inferior to the ancients! 100 years from now, your works will be valuable historical relics! I thought that Geng Yanbo was a local leader with artistic vision, strategic responsibility, and courage. In the overall plan to restore and reshape the historical image of Datong City, it is rare to get his praise that is not exaggerated.
Looking back on the past four years, more than 100 teachers and students participated in this grand "battle" drawn on the spot, and had to overcome all kinds of difficulties, troubles and unexpected unexpected problems that had never been encountered in classroom teaching. The doors and windows of the restored hall are open, and teachers and students climb on scaffolding nearly 10 meters high. In winter, dripping water turns into ice; On a hot day, sweating profusely, ordinary people can't bear the suffering, but teachers and students can enjoy it...... I want to say: In my feelings about participating in the whole process, I would like to express my deep respect to Wang Yingsheng, the "chief coach" of this team, the "host" of the more than 4,000 square meters of mural painting, the "chief writer" with the most important image and the most difficult image in the mural painting, and the "big housekeeper" who takes care of all aspects of the team's clothing, food, housing, and transportation!
I was dubbed "Artistic Director" in it. But after four years, I tacitly realized that it was an experience similar to repeating an undergraduate. I have realized that teaching and learning are mutually beneficial, and only by being able to ignore the depth of qualifications and the length of years can I really "see the sages and think together" - I am happy to describe the relationship between me and Yingsheng as "teacher-student" at the beginning, then "comrade-in-arms", and then "partner". If my understanding and techniques of traditional Chinese murals have improved over the years, it should be due to the "great benefit" I have gained from my acquaintance with Wang Yingsheng!
Wang Yingsheng "Emperor Shakti Brahma"
In 2018, based on the academic achievements of the Ministry of Education's project "Teaching, Conservation and Restoration of Traditional Chinese Murals", the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA Restoration Institute) established the "CAFA Restoration Institute", which includes the protection and restoration of multi-material artworks such as paper, silk and oil paintings. Wang Yingsheng, who is already the director of the Mural Art Committee of the Chinese Artists Association, is the dean of the School of Restoration. Teachers have the passion and prudent consciousness of "starting a business"; Freshmen have the excitement and desire to "step into a new field". When the children entered the school, I said: "This major will bring some endangered art relics back to life, which is the mission of the times for the rise and fall of art inheritance." The restoration talents cultivated by the Academy of Fine Arts should be experts and scholars with both theory and law! We have been looking forward to it for many years, and the professional field you are now stepping into is a double hope for the future! ”
In order to create a new situation of the start of the discipline at a high level and with high quality, Wang Yingsheng made an exception and welcomed Mr. Feng Pengsheng, who is over 80 years old and has nearly 70 years of framing and repair skills in Rong Bao Zhai, to the academy of fine arts. He invited Situ Yong, a well-known oil painting restoration master in the United States who was over the age of old, to return to China, opened a studio for him at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and improved the restoration equipment and teaching conditions for him. In this strong academic atmosphere, young teachers such as Li Dan, Dong Zhuo, Ma Xin and some invited guest scholars, teachers and students of the new discipline work together to create the most active and exploratory teaching atmosphere on campus.
In 2023, in the CAFA undergraduate teaching "Course and Exhibition Integration" series of activities, the Teaching Achievement Report Exhibition of the School of Restoration has received wide and unanimous praise! Even the effect of the works of first-year undergraduate students has made many of our gentlemen who have seen it amazing. More than a month ago, on December 2, 2023, the School of Restoration of the Central Academy of Fine Arts hosted the "Inaugural Conference and the First Forum of the International Restoration Alliance".
Wang Yingsheng "Emperor Shakti Brahma"
Before the opening of Wang Yingsheng's exhibition, I carefully read the prefaces to his paintings, written by Mr. Ma Guoqiang, whom Yingsheng called his mentor and friend, and Mr. Fan Di'an, the great critic and chairman of the China Artists Association. The former said: "Its interdisciplinary performance is impressive!" It can be called the 'Wang Yingsheng phenomenon'. The latter praised: "Wang Yingsheng has a wide range of paintings in a variety of genres, and has a unique comprehensive appearance." After reading it, I thought, "The comments of the two wise men are ready!" This exhibition is enough to show Wang Yingsheng's outstanding creative energy among contemporary painters.
From the perspective of my fellow teachers at the Academy of Fine Arts, I may need to say something about my understanding of Wang Yingsheng's "outside the painting" in my "words". I said: I value Wang Yingsheng very much as a teacher in the college. The responsibility of the teachers of the Academy of Fine Arts is to teach, which is different from the "Academy of Fine Arts", and the personal creation of the teachers of the Academy of Fine Arts is an "amateur" behavior. Wang Yingsheng has been teaching for more than 30 years, teaching by word and deed in the classroom, and for several years, he insisted on personally leading students to the site to observe, investigate, and sketch, and after years of leaving home to guide the practice of traditional mural painting and restoration. I know that his part-time workload is often "overloaded". In order to set up a financial aid to support underprivileged students, he has donated more than one million yuan in the past few years......
Today, Wang Yingsheng is able to make such a magnificent solo exhibition in addition to his heavy teaching, which is known as the "Wang Yingsheng phenomenon"! I would like to thank him: "The research and practice of traditional Chinese murals at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and the establishment and development of disciplines at the School of Restoration at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, without Wang Yingsheng's full commitment to the strategic orientation in teaching, may not be like this!" This meaning should enter the history of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. It's like it!
(Text: Sun Jingbo, Professor, Central Academy of Fine Arts)
(Source: CCTV)
Work appreciation
Repin
140cm x 200cm
Traditional chinese painting
"Prosperous Hong Kong"
140cm x 200cm
Traditional chinese painting
"Volunteers"
140cm x 200cm
Traditional chinese painting
Hong Kong in Style
140cm x 200cm
Traditional chinese painting
"Hong Kong's Return to the Motherland"
240cm x480cm
Traditional chinese painting
"A Generation of Tianjiao: The Hope of the Mongolian Nation"
450cm x5700cm
Traditional chinese painting
"Coming to the World"
399cm x1909cm
Traditional chinese painting
"Chinese Peking Opera-Micro Class Enters Beijing"
268cm x 448cm
Traditional chinese painting
"Pear Garden from Generation to Generation"
300cm x 600cm
Traditional chinese painting
"Planting the Shadow in the Masses - Gaburon"
300cm x 800cm
Traditional chinese painting
"Pacing No. 1"
200cm x 125cm
Traditional chinese painting
"Pacing No. 2"
200cm x 135cm
Traditional chinese painting
"A Generation of Tianjiao: The Hope of the Mongolian Nation"
450cm x5700cm
Traditional chinese painting
Artist Profile
Wang Yingsheng, admitted to the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1995 as a graduate student, graduated in 1997 with a master's degree, received a doctorate degree in 2013, was selected by the National Foundation of China from 2003 to 2004 to be a visiting scholar at the Merinikov Studio of the Repin Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia, and is currently a second-level professor and dean of the School of Restoration at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, a director of the Chinese Artists Association, director of the Mural Art Committee, a member of the National Art Creation Committee on Major Themes, and the vice president of the China Mural Painting Society. He is a researcher of the Gongbi Painting Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Arts, a consultant of the Chinese Gongbi Painting Society, and a doctoral and master's supervisor. His works have participated in the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th National Art Exhibitions, the First National Sports Art Exhibition, the National Youth Art Exhibition, the 1st and 2nd National Mural Exhibitions, the "Chinese Epic Art Exhibition" - the creation project of historical paintings on the theme of Chinese civilization and history, and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. His works have won the highest award of the 8th National Art Exhibition, the Excellence Award of the 9th National Art Exhibition, the Bronze Award of the 10th National Art Exhibition, the Chinese Young Artist Award of the 1st Beijing International Art Biennale, the Gold Award of the 11th National Art Exhibition, and the Bronze Award of the 12th National Art Exhibition. In 2005, he was named "Artist of Virtue and Art" by the Propaganda Department of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee, and published "Into the Painter - Wang Yingsheng's Collection", "60 Generation - Wang Yingsheng's Collection" and "Noon Gate Oath - Wang Yingsheng's Collection", which were collected and introduced by a variety of media.