Wang Xiu-Qi, a renowned sculptor in Taiwan, has earned acclaim for his masterful stone carvings that seamlessly blend precision with emotional depth. His works are celebrated for his ability to capture the essence of human nature, conveying innocence and genuine emotion through skillful artistry. For Wang, the true power of sculpture lies not in its form, but in its ability to reflect the artist’s thoughts, personal experiences, and real feelings.
Watch the following video on the Wang Xiu-Qi Sculpture Park in Taipei for further delightful photos.
About the sculpture master
Born in 1950 into a tangerine orchard family of seven children in Yangmingshan in Taipei, Wang Xiu-Qi had to help with the arduous work in the orchard during his childhood. The perseverance and hard work he developed during those years would later serve him well in his career as a sculptor.
In middle school, Wang was especially liked by his teachers, including his fine art teacher and her husband, who was a professor of fine arts at the Chinese Culture University in Yangmingshan. After school, he often learned sketching skills from this artist couple, which laid the foundation for his future artistic ambitions.
When studying at the Sculpture Department of the National Taiwan University of Art in the 1970s, he stood out among his classmates. He was particularly influenced by Prof. Qiu Yun, a graduate of Hangzhou Art College in China.
His choice of stone carving as a profession was based on his childhood experiences growing up in the mountains. He loved to catch fish and shrimp in the streams of Yangmingshan with his friends and often moved stones to create small pools for playing in the water. While playing with rocks of different sizes, shapes, and textures, he often imagined them as living figures or animals, which fostered a sense of closeness and connection to his material.
Characteristics of Wang Xiu-Qi’s sculptures
Wang Xiu-Qi’s creations are deeply rooted in his cultural inspiration from kinship, focusing on reverence for nature, the importance of morality, and the nostalgia for his hometown. His works are intrinsically connected to the environment of his upbringing, radiating a profound love for it. The language of his art not only expresses a strong sense of kinship, but also profoundly resonates with people’s hearts.
Having worked as a sculptor for decades, Wang expressed that he uses thought to stimulate inspiration and might start sketching or molding clay anytime, rather than just sitting around waiting for inspiration. It’s about taking a proactive attitude toward everything experienced in life.
Wang believes what matters most to him is that the concepts of truthfulness, compassion, and beauty conveyed in his art transcend the limitations of time and space, breaking through racial divisions to resonate in people’s hearts.
Notable awards and recognitions
In the 1984 Taiwan Provincial Fine Arts Exhibition, Wang won first place in sculpture. He achieved the same distinction in the 1986 National Fine Arts Exhibition. In 1990, he was honored with the Sun Yat-Sen Art and Literature Award. Additionally, he won first prize in the Stone Sculpture Competition of the Taiwan Provincial Institute of Handicrafts for seven consecutive years.
Wang was also the Chairman of the Chinese Cultural and Creative Society and Chairman of the Sculpture Association of Taiwan. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Wang has made significant contributions to the academic field. He once served as an associate professor at Tamkang University and a professor at the Department of Fashion Imaging at Mingdao University.
One of Wang Xiu-Qi’s most important works, The Heir of the Dragon, (龍的傳人) is on display at the Stone Sculpture Park of Guanyin Mountain Scenic Tourism Service Center in northern Taiwan. This monumental sculpture is 10 meters high and 1.5 meters in diameter, making it one of the largest stone sculptures in the country. Wang’s sculptures can also be found in some art museums, other public places, and on various university campuses, such as Tamkang University and Asia University.
About the Wang Xiu-Qi sculpture park
Tucked away at the end of a small alley in Yangmingshan, the spacious entrance to this cozy sculpture park resembles a boulevard flanked by large trees with lush green leaves and many flowers when they are in season. Several sculptures are scattered on the two sides.
The park features a comprehensive collection of Wang Xiu-Qi’s sculptures, capturing his artistic journey and evolution over the years. Nestled within the lush greenery of Yangmingshan, it offers a harmonious blend of natural beauty and creative expression.
Additionally, the park features a thoughtfully designed environment that encourages contemplation and appreciation of art in a tranquil setting. The integration of Wang’s sculptures with the natural landscape allows visitors to engage deeply with both art and nature. Consequently, the park not only represents the legacy of this influential Taiwanese sculptor, but also serves as a cultural and artistic haven, attracting both art enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
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