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A very special art exhibit showcasing striking Chinese-themed paintings and sculptures by emerging artist Shenping Wang was presented in the Library Community Room on July 15. The event was part of The South Pasadena Summer Arts Crawl, a “Neighborhood-Night-on-the-Town”, that presented artworks at more than 20 venues, including four restaurants, around the city’s Mission Street Business District. The Library exhibition also featured a delightful performance by Judy Ying on the guzheng, a traditional Chinese 21-stringed plucked instrument. Mayor Michael A. Cacciotti welcomed the audience of more 100 that also included Mayor Pro Tem Richard D. Schneider, M.D. and Councilmember Robert Joe. Faith Lee from Assemblyman Chris Holden’s office presented Certificates of Appreciation to both Mr. Wang and Ms. Ying.
The event was sponsored by the South Pasadena Public Library, the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library, and the South Pasadena Chinese American Club and special thanks are due to the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, SPACE, EDI Media Inc., East- West Bank, Frank Girardot, and 210eastsound.
After the successful event, Shenping Wang donated a pair of companion textured paintings entitled “Yin” and “Yang” to the Library. They now hang side-by-side on the second floor of the Library outside the office. Shenping also donated frames for the artworks and Mission Framing of South Pasadena contributed nameplates.
Shenping Wang was born in China 30 years ago and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Beijing Technology and Business University in 2003. Interestingly, when he first graduated from college, Mr. Wang wanted nothing at all to do with painting or sculpture –or even the art world as a whole. Nevertheless, the artistic muse grabbed his attention and by 2008 he had already created his own studio and was producing and selling his own original, unique sculptures.
In early 2011, Shenping moved to the United States and enrolled at the prestigious Academy of Art in San Francisco to pursue a Master’s in Fine Art. After graduating, he worked on the design and production of undersea theme creations for the “phytoplankton hole” of an indoor miniature golf course in San Francisco. Since then, Shenping has showcased his sculptures and paintings in a wide variety of exhibitions around California where they have been prominently featured and have garnered impressive awards and high praise. He currently works as Art Director for Linwoods Auction in San Gabriel.
