By Alvin W. Graylin and Will Wang Graylin, son
Northwest Asia Weekly
Victor Kai Wang
Victor Kai Wang, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on July 29, 2022 in Winchester, Massachusetts. After a stroke in Seattle, he spent the last seven months in the care of his son and daughter-in-law, where he lived for 42 years.
Victor is a well-known Chinese-American artist who devoted his life to art and art education. As a disciple of the greatest Chinese art masters such as Guan Shanyue and Li Xiongcai, Victor received classical Chinese and Western art training since childhood, and is an avid scholar of art, history and philosophy. He used to be a professor of fine arts and art history at Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts for more than 20 years, and then moved to the United States to create new painting innovations such as the Biaocai School and the New Song School. Chinese art techniques and Western materials.
Victor is a purist focused on creating art, not selling it. He stopped selling his art to collectors and patrons in the 1990s and stopped exhibiting altogether. However, he will dedicate his time and art to charities and individuals he admires. He can be seen volunteering in the International District of Chinatown, dedicating his time, and sometimes his art, to charity auctions. In April 2006, Victor donated a painting to the Chinese Garden in Seattle as a gift from the garden to Chinese President Hu Jintao. He also gave one of his best New Song-style paintings to Bill Gates and former Governor Gary Locke.
Victor’s lifelong pursuit is to bring more beauty and enlightenment to the world. He continued to draw every day until COVID-19 and his stroke last year. He leaves behind two sons and six grandchildren, his current wife and his ex-wife. A selection of Victor’s art collection is currently on display at the Wing Luke Museum’s “Redirected” exhibition until May 2023.
“Victor Kai Wang is a brilliant, lifelong innovator who has no interest in attention or fame. His art is his spiritual journey and his goal is to share beauty.”
– Lele Barnett, guest curator of “Reorientation” exhibition“Victor is a soulful artist. It’s an honor to share our love and passion for Chinese literature and art.”
– Kaili Feng, Curator“Victor was never one to sell himself, although he was a very talented painter and calligrapher. He evolved from a traditional Chinese style to using computers to create beautiful artworks. He was a true artist, Create for art’s sake.”
– Stella Chien, former board member of Seattle China Gardens
