Speaker Series and workshops with Dr Fan Dongwang

Speaker Series and workshops with Dr Fan Dongwang 
Thursday 8 May, 6.30pm - 7.30pm & Saturday 10 May, 10.30am  - 12pm
Ashfield Library

Dr Fan Dongwang delivered an artist talk, discussing his 40+ years of art practice in China and Australia. He shared how he transforms traditions of Chinese low relief lacquer carving into western contemporary paintings by using a technique called Sculptural Painting (exploring Chinese symbology and idiosyncratic aesthetic). Applying this Asian style to paint Australian landscapes to enrich viewers’ cross cultural art experiences. 

Over 200 people attended the artist talk and workshops (with a waiting list in the 100s for the workshops). Adults learnt how to paint a Koi fish and young people how to paint a tree in traditional Chinese style. Fan worked with 2 other artists to deliver the work, 100% being local Inner West residents. "In just 1.5 hours each class, I introduced participants to the fundamentals of traditional Chinese ink brush painting. They learned how to use simple, yet expressive brush strokes on rice paper to create beautiful artworks, including a vibrant painting of some carp fish and trees. It was rewarding to see how everyone embraced the technique and produced their own unique pieces" (Fan 2025)

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. 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 is a multi award winning artist with a number of commissioned works. 

Fan Dongwang    @fandongwang

Feedback 

Participating in the Cultural Connections program offered me numerous benefits. The artist talk provided an opportunity to reflect on and reassess my artistic practice, particularly my exploration of a unique visual language through the concept of shifting perspectives. This concept refers to the different ways space is represented, which can vary significantly across cultures. In a broader sense, shifting perspectives also carry philosophical, technological, social, emotional, and even sexual connotations. My talk further examined how my work blends both historical and contemporary Western and Chinese art, using shifting perspectives to explore human identities in response to changing social and technological landscapes.