bio — lancewangart

LANCEWITHNOEND

Wang Linning is a sculptor who is about to obtain his Bachelor's degree in Visual Art from Rutgers University in 2024. Over the past few years, he has received nominations for the London Youth Artist Competition and has been repeatedly listed on the school's dean's list. In 2023, he curated his first group exhibition in China, featuring a collection of young artists, with his work "The Limits" taking center stage. His artistic repertoire spans installations, imagery, and performances.

Wang Linning's works often incorporate rich elements of Chinese culture and reflect his personal contemplations on societal conditions. The color red is a prominent theme in his creations, and he adeptly utilizes color to alter spatial perceptions while incorporating narrative techniques into his pieces. Proficient in working with various materials, his most common choice is iron, though he also explores unconventional materials such as objects and traditional Chinese herbs. Wang Linning is enthusiastic about embracing innovative thinking and tends to deviate from traditional sculptural methods.

Artist Statement

In my previous works, I have often explored social issues, identity, and the investigation of inexplicable phenomena. I attempt to use artistic creation as a means to dialectically respond to and answer these "curiosities." My work has never been confined to any single format, encompassing sculpture, installation, performance, and easel painting, among others. During my time studying and creating at Rutgers, I primarily focused on sculpture and installation, driven by a determination to merge my ideas through diverse approaches. While studying at UAL, I connected with classmates and instructors from various artistic disciplines, which deepened my understanding of fine art. I have increasingly learned to start from my own experiences and use art to formulate responses that are uniquely mine. To me, this process is, in itself, a form of performance art. I choose not to rely on feeble language—perhaps because I am not particularly articulate. Thus, I have always believed that using artistic methods to subtly express my ideas is a rewarding endeavor. If my audience can grasp my expressions, it becomes a rare, simplified form of spiritual resonance amidst the vast sea of people.

The relationship between men and women has always been a frequently discussed topic. Especially with the rise of Western feminism, I have repeatedly witnessed the power of women. In contemporary art history, female artists are often brought into our conversations. My interest in this topic actually began during my studies in the United States. At the time, I came across a podcast titled "The Death of an Artist," the first episode of which discussed one of the most widely known scandals in contemporary art history—the story of Carl Andre and Ana Mendieta. Carl reported that Ana had jumped to her death from his New York apartment, where they were both present, and Ana was his wife. Like society at large, I also find it hard to believe that Ana would have committed suicide, and Carl had no reason to allow Ana to engage in life-threatening behavior in his presence. Consequently, many have speculated whether Carl, feeling threatened by Ana's rising fame, grew jealous and killed his wife. Rationally speaking, making blind conjectures without knowing the facts is inappropriate. However, this incident made me aware of Ana's influence as a female artist on women in society. This led me to reflect: as a man, what can I do for the men in our society?

In China today, declining birth rates and a downturn in the national economy have led to an increasingly severe aging population problem. Online, many bloggers under the banner of feminism express their dissatisfaction with the behavior of contemporary Chinese men and vent their frustrations about perceived policy injustices. I believe that China's traditional patriarchal system has fostered a sense of male chauvinism among Chinese men, resulting in many women perceiving men as condescending. This, in turn, severely undermines women's personal agency. However, I also think that the doctrines of traditional patriarchy have similarly impacted Chinese men, causing their mindset to largely align with that of previous generations. As a man who grew up in China, I often catch myself entertaining viewpoints that some women, sensitive to gender issues, might perceive as promoting "toxic masculinity." On the other hand, I deeply understand and support feminism's resistance and response to feudalistic doctrines. Therefore, I believe that men should teach themselves how to respect women, and the first step is to clearly recognize themselves. Next, they should try to put themselves in women's shoes to thoroughly consider a matter.

At Station Cafe in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China, I organized a debate event called "Wine Talk," where the discussion topics primarily revolve around male-female relationships. Attendees are randomly assigned to pros and cons, and I serve as the host to guide everyone in broadening their perspectives. This event has already been held once and will continue as a weekly activity. The topics we have discussed include "Should women be solely responsible for romance and initiative in a relationship?" and "Is marriage a social responsibility for young men and women aged 20-30?" The intense discussions revealed the enthusiasm of my peers toward these issues. Some even expressed their views with anger, citing incidents from their surroundings or personal experiences to counter opposing opinions. This made me feel a connection to my artistic creation: starting from the most immediate feelings of the moment, using what is most familiar to oneself, and addressing the issues one feels most strongly about to seek responses and answers.

Education
2019/09 – 2024/05

New Brunswick, USA

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (Rutgers-New Brunswick)

Awards: Dean's List (Three consecutive semesters from 01/2021 to 05/2023); Shortlisted for the Finals Monochrome of London Young Artist Award 2023-2024 Season 2

Professional Experience

2023/05 – present Ningbo and Online, China

Art assistant
Chase Carr-Braint's Gallery

Managed gallery operations; primarily involved in art-event planning and promotion.

Exhibitions

2023/11

Brunswick, USA

2023/08

Ningbo, China

2023/04

Metuchen, USA

2024 12

London, UK

Artist

"Recycle, Regenerate, Renew" Undergraduate Annual Exhibition

Curator and Artist

Love Art Center in Ningbo

Curated an art exhibition titled "Spiritual Worlds of the 2000s", including my own works and those of other young artists.

Artist

Bowery Art Collective Sculpture Exhibition

Artist

UAL cook house show

Others

Planner and Director

401 Gallery Roof Top Art Party

Planned and executed a rooftop party at Gallery 401, handling all aspects from stage setup, DJ and MC invitations, and poster design, to advertising.

Maintained event order and ensured smooth execution.

Contributed to expanding gallery exposure to the public, increasing awareness of the artworks by the artists I represented.

Designer

Logo Design for Nerex（ A Foreign Trade Company）

Designed the logo for a China-based e-bike manufacturing company specializing in trade with the USA; gained insights from five years of living in the United States to cater to American preferences.

Muralist

Commissioned Mural Work for A Board Game Shop

Commissioned to design an empty wall within the board game store.

2023/10

Online, USA

Donation to Palestine Emergency Appeal

Contributed to the Palestine Emergency Appeal by generating funds through the sale of my artwork at the collective exhibition hosted at Bowery Art Gallery; donated raised funds to Gaza.

Created a calligraphy piece in Chinese with the inscription "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" as a symbolic gesture to express solidarity with the Gaza disaster.

Skills

Computer Skills: Adobe, Blender, Nomad, Procreate Specialities:Drawing, Sculpting, and DJing Interests: Music, Art, Gym, Game