Juanni, the Chinese artist who paints Leggo: “I combine news and art history”
ROME – “I like to read to learn Italian. I often take the subway, so I always have Leggo in my hand. Pages full of shows, appointments, chronicles of daily life. I thought they would be the perfect backdrop for my works.” These are the words of Juanni Wang, from China with passion. For art, first of all, but also for Italy, which has now become his adopted land. His is a particular story, just as his works are decidedly particular. Portraits, landscapes, suggestions. Made on special backgrounds. Just like the pages of our newspaper.
How did your relationship with art come about?
“I’ve always liked to draw, ever since I was a child. When I was six years old, I met a very kind teacher who helped me develop my skills.”
And how did you discover Italy?
“I was born in a small town in Shanxi, then I studied in Shanghai, at the school of art and design. I have always had a great passion for Italian Renaissance art. So I decided to come here, first to Assisi, thanks to a student program, then to Rome, where I managed to enter the Academy of Fine Arts, also studying Graphics and Photography. It’s a dream for me.”
What techniques do you use?
“Chinese ink and pen. A very thin pen.”
Does it work well on the pages of Leggo?
“Yes, newspaper is a great tool to enhance my technique. Since the beginning of this year I have always been drawing on the pages of Leggo, which manage to break down every boundary between art and public, telling our lives in an effective way. I missed it last summer, but luckily I had stocked up on back issues!”
One of his specialties is self-portraits...
“Every day I make a self-portrait, even with different materials, such as rice, wool, beans, flowers, pieces of mirror or CDs.”
What are your other passions?
“Travelling. I would like to travel the world doing exhibitions with my works. But maybe I’d like to stay in Italy forever.”
Will you continue to draw for our newspaper?
“Of course. I’ve already drawn on 30 pages, I’d like to get to at least 100.”