Wang Mian was born in 1980, Chongqing, Sichuan Province, China and he currently lives and works in Beijing, China. He was given a M.F.A from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, Sculpture Department in 2005 and another Master from the Middle School attached to the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in 2000. He got an award from ‘The 6th Nanjing Road Sculpture Exhibition, Superior Prize’ in Shanghai in 2006 and ‘Exhibition of Outstanding Graduation Works of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute’, First Prize, and Second Prize of the ‘Pu Yu Cup’ of Graduate Students, in Shanghai in 2005.
He says,
“This old legend sets in China in the Tan Dynasty around a Buddhist monk Tripitaka who rides on a white horse and leads three of his distinct looking disciples on a journey westward to India to obtain Buddhist religious texts called sutras. This story is widely known in China and has become notable throughout the world.
I am always fascinated by the world of magic that only comes to life from description of my parents, and I have once even believed that the imagined legend exists as a part of the history. In my childhood, Monkey King – Sun Wukong was undoubtedly my biggest hero. He carries the Golden-Banded Staff that can size itself according to his will. Among all Tripitaka’s disciple, he is the most powerful who has Fiery Golden Eyes that can look through all the disguise of ghost and monsters, the ability to master 72 methods of transformation and ride with somersault that travels thousands miles. The commanding Monkey King, who can defeat all the approaching demons, has become the most favored mythical character in China. His importance even surpassed Tripitaka, who is a real life character from the 7th century, and also becomes my first source of interest to the mythical tale.
I was raised by my parents. When they were busy, I would stay quietly at our place that was no more than 24 square meters. For someone imaginative, it was spacious enough. I would take out my sketch book and draw down people who I have “encountered” and events that had taken place. Certainly, Monkey King was the one who I have illustrated the most. At times, I felt as if he was right outside my window hiding behind the cloud despite how little sky I could see from my small window. Until Transformers and Saint Seiya come to my life, my perception for hero has then finally changed. “Transformer, transform! Let’s go!” I would yell on the top of my lung the way Optimus Prime would. “Pegasus Fan-ta-sy!” I swing my fist and shout out my fatal move. Later on, countless American and Japanese cartoons and video games rush over my life. Slowly but surely, the Monkey King on top of the cloud seems to be overshadowed by robotic characters, magnificent helmet, and high-tech product……”
Enjoy his work images!
