Weng Fung Man Artist's Statement I have lived in England all my life; nurtured in a typical Chinese family; with all the conflicts, strengths and weaknesses that a merging of the two cultures bring forth. Here there are two values, beliefs and attitudes. Integrating the two cultures is a dynamic process, throwing up the ever-present questions of who am I? What am I? Where have I come from? Where am I going? Am I Chinese, English, or both? This thirst for inquiry has unwittingly taken me as far a-field as Graphic design, Interior design, metalwork and Furniture design. But ultimately I am most at home with my first passion art. As well as being an artist I am also a committed Buddhist. I observe the Buddhist doctrines and work to interpret my life experiences and understanding through my art. With my work, I have explored ideas of perception and relationships. Looking particularly at furniture as a metaphor to convey the body, with specific reference to permanence and impermanence, whilst focusing on tension and balance. I see this balance or harmony as something to do with the self. I am first and foremost a maker, my working methods are driven by the ideas and by the relationship with what the materials can and cannot do, and this informs the work too. Often this entails pushing these materials in one extremity to other, in order to find the middle way. But most often it is the allowing the material to do the ïcommunicatingÍ that works best for me Images of work Brief CV EDUCATION 2003-2006 Royal Academy Schools, Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Art 2000-2002 University College Northampton, BA Honours in Fine Art 1999-2000 Manchester College of Art and Technology Completed one year BA Honours Furniture and Making 1986-93 Attended various art and design courses covering subjects: Graphics, Interior Design, metalwork Design and Fine Art 1985-86 London College of Printing, Foundation Course EXHIBITIONS 2005 Royal British Society of Sculptors Bursary Award group show Premiums group show at Royal AcademyÍs Sackler Wing Gallery 2003 Open Spaces/Open Places site specific commission at NorthamptonÍs Central Museum and Art Gallery Window exhibit at WHSmiths, part of the Northampton Arts Festival The Castle at Wellingborough AWARDS 2006 Bronze Casting Award culminating in a solo show at Royal British Society of Sculptors Patricia Turner Sculpture Award 2005 Royal British Society of Sculptors Bursary Award Landseer Award OTHER INFORMATION Nov 2003-June 2004 East Midlands Arts Mentoring Programme, mentoring local artist June 2002-Sept 2003 Part time Art Technician at Sharnbrook Upper School in Bedford 1996-2000 Charity work for International Buddhist Society London and Manchester branches. Devised and organised educational programs for children. Worked with ïGrade Two Listed BuildingÍ, submitted architectural plans for changes to the building, carpentry work Contact Email: wengsculpt@hotmail.com All content © the artists and EASTonline