Wang is born in Xi’an, Shaanxi, China. He established the Xi’an Artist Association (西安美术家协会) in 1983, the Xi’an Painting Academy (西安中国画院) in 1985, and then the Xi’an Foreign Cultural Exchange Association (西安对外文化交流协会) in 1989. He is instrumental in expanding the influence of Chinese art through his works in exhibitions and lectures at leading art schools in Southeast Asia, which included NAFA, Malaysian Institute of Art (马来西亚艺术学院) and the Oriental Culture Academy in Thailand (泰国东方书院).  He has taught at the China National Academy of Arts (中国艺术研究院), Northwest University (西北大学) and Yunnan University (云南大学) and is regaled as a first-class Chinese artist.

Wang is known for his distinctive rendering of figures in popular Chinese folklore that are often refined and vivid. In this Chinese ink painting, Wang depicts the figure with enlarged eyes, a black beard and a stern expression. These features are distinct to Zhong Kui, a fictional ghostbuster whose story garnered popularity during the Tang dynasty. Wang renders the subject’s garments in bold and unrestrained strokes—a signature style typical of his oeuvre. On the left side of this painting, the colophon states:

“传说钟馗是 一落第进士，善于捉鬼拿 妖，死后托梦给唐王。次 日，唐王召文武群臣说 梦，并将梦中图样画成神 像，张贴门窗，天下大 安。 [The legendary Zhong Kui was a gifted scholar who topped the imperial examinations. After his (unjust) death, he appeared in a dream to the emperor, who decreed his court to have his image painted. Displaying his portrait then brought peace to the land].”