Vivian Wang

Art Brokerage: Vivian Wang Chinese Glass Artist: She is an American sculptor of Chinese descent who has been primarily inspired by Asian art and culture. Vivian's work is – and has always been – figurative, focusing mainly on the elegant bearing and formal dress of Asian women and children from the royal courts of ancient China. She has recently become intrigued with the dress and lifestyle of the courtiers of ancient Japan as well. In her current work, she has sculpted figures inspired by the imperial life of the Heian Period of Japan (794 – 1185) and the Song Dynasty of China (960 – 1279). These periods overlap by 225 years, allowing her to illustrate and compare the style and color of ancient Japanese and Chinese dress at the same time in history. The category she calls "City Kids" represents Western children of the mid-20th century. In spite of their young ages and modest circumstances, these children exhibit an urbane flair for sophisticated dress. Before she became a sculptor, she enjoyed an extensive career in New York as a fashion designer. Her sculptures naturally exhibit a great interest in clothing and the figures all exhibit very detailed garments and distinctive textile patterning. The "textile-like" surfaces of her work are slightly distressed or "antiqued". In addition, her use of glass components gives her figures almost intangible features. Together, these elements give the sculptures a haunting look, mirroring the paintings and sculptures of ancient China and Japan. Listings wanted.