Richard Wang, Art in Public Places

Saratoga Springs Public Library

49 Henry St, Saratoga Springs, NY

October 2nd-30th, 2026

Artist Statement 

My art is rooted in the ancient traditions of Chinese painting and calligraphy—living art forms that continue to flourish in China and throughout East Asia. Although they have been practiced and developed for thousands of years, many American audiences still do not widely understand their rich history, techniques, and cultural meanings. As an artist, my mission is to introduce these traditions to more people in the United States and share their enduring beauty, wisdom, and expressive power.

Using traditional brushes, ink, color, and Xuan paper, I bring painting, calligraphy, and poetry together in the spirit of the Chinese “Three Perfections.” In this tradition, every brushstroke has purpose. A line may describe the form of a flower, express the movement of a branch, or reveal the energy and emotion of a written character. The open spaces are also meaningful, allowing the composition to breathe and inviting the viewer’s imagination into the work.

The natural subjects in this exhibition carry deep symbolic meanings. Peonies represent beauty, prosperity, and honor; the lotus embodies purity and spiritual growth; and the orchid suggests elegance, integrity, and humility. The plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum—known as the “Four Gentlemen”—express resilience, grace, moral character, and harmony with the changing seasons.

Calligraphy is equally central to my practice. In works featuring characters such as Dragon, Blessing, and Horse, I use different historical script styles to show the transformation of Chinese writing across thousands of years. Each character is both language and visual art, carrying movement, personality, history, and meaning. 

Through exhibitions such as this one at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, I hope to build a bridge between cultures. I invite viewers of every background to experience these traditions not simply as arts of the past, but as vibrant, evolving forms of expression. By sharing my work, I hope more people will discover the beauty of Chinese painting and calligraphy and help keep these ancient arts alive for future generations.