A trip from strategy to abstraction
Alex Z. WangThe way to become a painter was anything but conventional. Before immersing himself fully in the art world, he spent more than a decade working in strategic advice and marketing. This analytical background has sharpened its ability to translate complex ideas into visual compositions, a competence which now defines its approach to abstraction. Based in New York, Wang has established himself as an artist who explores the transitions of movement, depth and atmosphere, works of elaboration that blur the line between the tangible and the ephemeral.
His artistic practice is deeply influenced by dance, cinema and performance, disciplines that emphasize movement as an expressive language. Wang considers movement not only as a physical act but as an emotional force, capable of capturing ephemeral moments and translating them into lasting impressions. This perspective informs the way he builds his paintings: color, shape and texture to create dynamic compositions that seem to breathe and move. Rather than representing fixed subjects, he creates immersive spaces where movement and memory intertwine, inviting viewers to discover the work of art as a visual and emotional landscape.
Although his formal artistic journey started early – relaxing at the Luxun Academy of Arts in China from the age of six – his return to painting was a process of rediscovery. After having moved to the United States over ten years ago, he rekindled his practice while working in the Council, a student in institutions such as the Artistic Student League, Parsons and Cooper Union. Over time, it has become clear that painting was not only a passion but a vocation. This awareness led him to leave her business career and fully commit to his artistic practice, a decision that has since defined the work of his life.
Alex Z. Wang: Paint the essence of change
At the heart of Wang's artistic style is an exploration of impermanence. His paintings, rooted in abstract expressionism, transmit a sense of movement and transformation, often resembling changing light, water currents or the dissolution of landscapes. Rather than capturing static moments, his work seeks to embody the transition itself – the intermediate states where memories are formed and dissolve. These dreamlike compositions invite viewers in an introspective space, evoking emotions that fluctuate between serenity and intensity.
One of the key tensions of Wang's work is between structure and dissolution. Its paintings balance the deliberate composition with organic unpredictability, reflecting the fluid nature of existence. Whether through soft and atmospheric washing or daring gestural features, it builds layers that seem to hover between presence and disappearance. This approach reflects the way in which emotions, memories and experiences are constantly moving, strengthening his fascination for the ephemeral.
A decisive piece in Wang's wallet guides light, a painting that has marked a central moment in its artistic process. Unlike the previous work where it looked for control of each element, this part was created through an intuitive approach, allowing shapes and colors to emerge in an organic way. The result was a work that captured the depth, translucidity and movement, embodying the push and the traction of memory and water. This painting testifies to his philosophy – dealing with the creative process, abandoning rigid expectations and allowing work itself to take shape naturally.
The studio as a space for flow and experimentation
Wang's creative process takes place in two separate studio spaces: one in Bushwick, dedicated to oil painting, and another at home, where he explores works on paper, alcohol inks and photography. Each environment fulfills a different function, but both share a common goal: the supply of an immersive framework where it can fully engage with its materials and ideas. Whether working with the rich textures of oil painting or the unpredictability of alcohol ink fluids, its studios act as laboratories for experimentation.
The atmosphere is essential to its practice. He carefully organizes his workspace to align with his creative flow, adjusting elements such as lighting and sound to adapt to the atmosphere of his working sessions. Sometimes he paints in complete silence, allowing his thoughts to guide the brush kicks, while other times, the music – whether rhythmic or cinematographic – have set the tone. The movement also plays a key role in its process; Getting away from the canvas to walk, stretch or watch dance shows allows him to reset his point of view and come back with renewed energy.
Despite the inevitability of distractions, Wang approaches them with a balance of discipline and flexibility. It structures its working periods to maintain concentration while adopting moments of spontaneity which often lead to unexpected breakthroughs. Its process is as much a question of control as of surrender – a continuous dialogue between intention and intuition. Whether it is to refine a composition or to give the chance to shape the final result, its practice remains fluid, reflecting the themes of transition and impermanence which define its work.
Alex Z. Wang: widen the limits of abstraction
Wang's inspirations extend both on the visual and the spectacle, drawing from a wide range of influences which inform his approach to abstraction. Painters like Sonia and Robert Delaunay inspired it with their dynamic use of color and rhythm, while Mark Rothko's ability to evoke a deep emotion through tone changes resonates deeply with his practice. He also admires the exploration of memory and impermanence by Ross Bleckner, the controlled chaos of Gerhard Richter and the bright and dissolving landscapes of JMW Turner – which all share a link with Wang's fascination for the atmosphere and the transformation.
Beyond painting, dance remains a deep source of inspiration. Choreographers like Martha Graham and Paul Taylor shaped his understanding of the rhythm, the structure and improvisation – princes that translate directly into his approach to painting. Just as the movement in the dance transmits a meaning through the gesture and the flow, its brushstrokes and its layers in layers seek to capture this same expressive quality on the canvas. This interdisciplinary influence fuels his desire to push the limits of his work beyond traditional formats.
For the future, Wang plans to create large -scale immersive installations that merge painting with light, sound and movement. Rather than existing as static objects, these environments would evolve over time, engaging viewers in a sensory experience where abstraction becomes something that lived rather than simply observed. In addition, he continues to develop a series of abstract photography works, further exploring his exploration of fluidity and impermanence on different supports. For Wang, art is not only to create images – it is a question of building experiences that invite contemplation, transformation and connection.
