Wang Yuguog has his own theories when it comes to painting. He thinks it is important to bring one’s talent into full play in the area of art, as art is an expression of individuality: one’s vision, understanding and language. This individuality comes from long-term practice in art, it has to be grown with a solid foundation and strengthened by nobility. Chinese paintings value not only formal beauty, but also taste. A fine painting has to be both formally and durably beautiful, which means its beauty lingers on enough for viewers to merge it with their life by revisiting it repeatedly. He believes that artists should always focus on discovering and expressing themselves rather than focusing overly on following trends and representing an Age. “10 days for some water, 5 days for a rock” is an attitude Wang advocates, he insists that art should be produced seriously. If ever a problem regarding the creation appears, an artist should not give up but seriously analyze and consider each detail to make adjustments. Xu Bai Hong’s “Paint bravely, adjust carefully” and Lu Yanshao’s “Create with chances, rebirths meet with hopeless ends” are worthy experiences to Wang. In Wang’s theory, an artist’s life is divided into unknown stages, changes are unforeseeable and uncontrollable. He does not think an artist’s climax can be predicted or designed. Therefore, he thinks it is most important to be an honest artist and work hard on his skills. According to Wang, attitudes affect quality while manners decide depth, powerful works prove ability and fine arts manifest the level.
Wang paints with traditional skills but his work often express a strong sense of modernity, his mountains and water align him with our old masters but his works are never quite detached from reality. Maybe it is because he lives in northern China that it has become his favorite theme to paint. His works use gentle colors and refined brushstrokes to compose a harmonic scene of quiet and settling nature. From quietness to the faraway, Wang’s rivers and snow lead the audience to their peace of mind.
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