Introduction

In this age of global markets and interdisciplinary research, an appreciation of the customs and culture of another country is as essential as knowledge of its language, science, and economics. This exhibit of paintings and calligraphy offers a sample of China’s art and its history, as revealed in the story of the independent Kingdom of Min 闽国, now called Fujian 福建. The works on display are from the collection of Professor and Mrs. Paul Wang, who care passionately about sharing the art of China with others.  Professor Wang was born in Fujian, China; he came to Duke in 1968 to join the faculty of the School of Engineering.

Traditional Chinese painting, created with long-haired brushes, ink and watercolor on paper or silk, has a history dating back thousands of years to the Neolithic Period.  Before the maturation of traditional Chinese painting, there were rock paintings, silk paintings and mural paintings. The paintings and calligraphy exhibited here were created primarily by artists from the Fujian province.

The exhibit was curated by Paul Wang (Professor Emeritus, Pratt School of Engineering) and Luo Zhou (Duke University Librarian for Chinese Studies). View a slide show of more works of art from the Wang family collection at the computer kiosk in this gallery. The books on display are from the Duke University Libraries.