At the age of three, Wang Yani created her first watercolor in her artist father's studio in China. At the age of 14, she had a solo exhibit in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Now young readers can meet the exuberant teenager called the "Picasso of China." ". . . this book is inspirational as well as instructive. . . . of exceptional value."--Booklist starred review. Full color.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The unique talents of a Chinese child prodigy are illuminated in this account of her still-burgeoning career. At the age of three Yani proclaimed, "I want to paint and paint" and proceeded to produce playful renderings of monkeys that astounded her family and the art world. By her 10th birthday Yani had held solo exhibitions of her fresh and energetic works in major cities all over the world. The book's cohesive text is peppered with anecdotes that offer a glimpse of Yani's personality and her mostly commonplace home life, while high-quality full-color reproductions of her paintings fill a substantial number of pages. Explanations of Yani's technique and materials--she paints entirely from memory and uses traditional Chinese inks and rice papers--are engrossing and not overly technical. Zhensun and Low portray Yani as introspective and likable but not terribly approachable; their writing leads readers to admire her from a respectful distance. Budding artists will find a wealth of inspiration here, but all readers will relish viewing Yani's paintings and marvel at her extraordinary gift. All ages.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up-- From the age of three, Wang Yani has shown a remarkable feeling for color and design. Her creative brushwork in the xieyi hua or free form style of Chinese art was recognized by art experts by the time she was four years old. Her work has been shown in museums and galleries around the world and has even been featured on a Chinese postage stamp. Now 16, she has advanced from animal and plant themes to more sophisticated subjects, but always with an extraordinary sense of balance and grace and with a traditionally Chinese appreciation for the uses of space. This book is liberally illustrated with Wang Yani's artwork, in full color, arranged chronologically. In her paintings, monkeylike creatures, made furry and graceful with skillful strokes of watercolor brushwork, glide and cavort across the papers. Boughs hung with fruit and leaves provide accents and background. The color photographs showing the young painter at home, traveling with her father, and playing with schoolmates are a wonderful introduction to Chinese culture and to a remarkable young artist. Zhensun and Low's account presents a uniformly happy picture of Wang Yani's success and reads, in places, like a promotional pamphlet for her next exhibition. But the book is worth purchasing for several reasons: as a biography of a highly talented young person, as an explanation and introduction to Chinese art, and, most particularly, for the collection of delightful pictures of monkeys, birds, mountains, and trees that speak the universal language of fine art and will delight anyone who opens the pages of this unusual book. --Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Art Educator and Mom,
By A Customer
This review is from: A Young Painter: The Life and Paintings of Wang Yani-- China's Extraordinary Young Artist (Library Binding)
This is a wonderful book about a very talented young artist. Wang Yani is an extraordinary young woman who is an inspiration to us all. Her love of animals is something most children can identify with. I have read this book with 3rd graders and they loved every photo and detail about Wang Yani's life. The combination of reproductions and Wang Yani's own words make the book gripping for young children. A must-have for any class studying China or Chinese art.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"A great, compelling book!",
By A Customer
This review is from: A Young Painter: The Life and Paintings of Wang Yani-- China's Extraordinary Young Artist (Library Binding)
A fanscinating novel about the life and times of an amazing young artist, who went through many stages in her life and still is. A powerful, though-provoking book, also alot of tips for artists in the making! Wang Yani has had alot of parent influences, which cannot be stressed enough, and that is really what counts. It talks about her being China's prized possesion, or The Picasso OF China. Although I don't believe she is all that popular in Canada, I belive she will eventually reach that poing, whatever the time period. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys all aspects of art!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
beautiful and creative,
By
This review is from: A Young Painter: The Life and Paintings of Wang Yani-- China's Extraordinary Young Artist (Library Binding)
After checking this book out of the library I loved it so much that I bought it from Amazon.com.
The creativity and fun that the artist conveyed through the work is inspiring. Having painted for over fifteen years in oils and acrylics and getting my bachelor's degree in art I recognized an honesty in this young painter's style that I inspire to have in my own work. I enjoyed the reviewer's comment that said she has read it to her third graders and they loved it. Children are often the most honest and give the best critics of originality.
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