Qianghua Wang

Qianghua Wang '92 MA

(American, born China 1945)

Watertown II, 1987

Oil on canvas

Courtesy of the artist

Artist's Statement:

When I was a child, I lived in the countryside town of Sanlin, outside of

Shanghai. I crossed the Huangpu River on a ferry and rode a steam train

between the city and the county. My home was near a stone bridge

where I would visit to watch the scenery and boats cross underneath.

Once, I was fishing there with a bamboo basket and a peasant woman

crossed over to me to give me a cake. This simple act became a sweet

memory of mine.

Shanghai has now developed and my hometown exists no more; it has

been absorbed into the city. Rustic houses are now storied buildings

and old railways are subways. The painting here depicts another bridge,

far from modern Shanghai, that recalls the bridge of my childhood. I

found my hometown again – beautiful Watertown.

 

Last Updated: 8/27/24