Artists talk and workshops with Dr Fan Dongwang

Artists talk and workshops with Dr Fan Dongwang 
Thursday 8 May, 6.30pm - 7.30pm (Artists talk)
Saturday 10 May, 10.30am  - 12pm (Adults workshop - paint a Koi fish)
Saturday 10 May, 1pm - 2.30pm (Young adults workshop - paint a tree in traditional Chinese style) 

Ashfield Library, Level 3, 260 Liverpool Road, Ashfield
When the main doors are closed, access is via Ashfield Mall. Take the stairs or lift to level 4 of Ashfield Mall, exit at doors by Australia Post and follow the signs for the library.

Dr Fan Dongwang will give an artist talk about his over 40 years of art practice both in China and Australia.

In his artists talk Fan will talk about his 40 years practice on how to transform traditions of Chinese low relief lacquer carving into western contemporary paintings by using a technique called Sculptural Painting, exploring Chinese symbology and idiosyncratic aesthetic. His work aims to increase cross cultural understanding and recognises cultural diversity as an asset. "This project is bridging cultural divides: experiments and creative adventures to develop a new visual language to fuse Asian and Australian painting practice to generate understanding and harmony across cultures". Produced through using brushes to ‘carve (paint) out’ the painting’s surface, bringing a sense of 3D volume to the 2D surfaces, a visual illusionism expressed brilliantly in traditional Chinese art. Fan further applies this Asian style to paint Australian landscape to enrich viewers’ cross cultural art experiences.

Dr Fan Dongwang will be offering two free workshops on 10 May, adults are invited to paint a Koi fish (10.30am - 12pm) and young adults a tree in traditional Chinese style (1pm - 2.30pm) - all materials are provided. Book online below, places are limited.

About the artist
Shanghai Born, Sydney artist Dr Fan Dongwang studied traditional Chinese art at Shanghai School of Arts and Crafts in the 70's. Since 1982 he regularly exhibited and in 1990 Fan migrated to Australia as an artist of ‘Distinguished Talent’. He studied a Master of Arts at NSW University in 1995, produced series work called Descendant Bodies. In 2000 he completed a Doctor of Creative Art at Wollongong University, and showed his final work Shifting Perspective and Body in Wollongong Art Gallery. His paintings were also exhibited in the Australia National Gallery and numerous university and regional art galleries throughout Australia. He was 1 of 3 artists in the National touring exhibition “Shanghai Star” organised by the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre. He was the finalist of the Wynne and Sulman prize at AGNSW and won over 10 art prizes including Mosman Art Prize, Art on the Rocks Prize, Fisher’s Ghost Art Award and Ian Potter Cultural Trust Grant. His Descendant Installation was commissioned by Australian National Gallery and his Dragon Installation at Dawes Point was part of the City of Sydney Chinese New Year Lantern Exhibition 2016-2017. Dog Installation was commissioned by City of Sydney for Chinese New Year (Lantern Exhibition from 2018 to 2021). Fan Dongwang Empyrean Dragon Banner Exhibition was held with City of Sydney in 2024.

With thanks to Ashfield Library project partners and host

Fan Dongwang    @fandongwang

Program details

Venue: Ashfield Library, 260 Liverpool Road, Ashfield

Accessibility information

• LQBTIQ+ safe space
• Culturally safe space
• Wheelchair accessible entry
• Wheelchair accessible lift to talk/ program room
• Wheelchair accessible toilet

Transport and parking

• Train - From Ashfield Station, a 3 minute walk (T1, T2 and T9 lines)
• Bus - The following buses can get you to Ashfield Library (Stop ID 2131110):
  - 406: Five Dock to Hurlstone Park
  - 418: Hurstville to Five Dock
• Bike - The Cycleway Finder shows options for cycling in the area. There is designated bicycle parking located on Liverpool Road
• Car - Car parking available on site via Norton or Holden Streets. Time limits and ticketed parking apply.