Speaker:

Wang Shuo (anusman), Artist and Comics Researcher

Moderator:
Xu Yuan,Associate Professor, School of Foreign Languages, Renmin University of China

Time:
Tuesday, May 20, 2025,10:00am – 11:30am

Venue:
Room 205, Mingde International Building

Speaker Introduction
Wang Shuo (anusman) is an acclaimed artist and scholar specializing in comic art. Born in Fushun, Liaoning Province, he currently resides in Beijing. Over the years, he has established himself as a pioneering figure in the field of independent comics, blending introspective storytelling with innovative visual experimentation. His published works include Mr. Men, Ballad-Seeking Journey, When Doors Collide, Kingdom of Rice, and Cityscape, each exploring the intersection of everyday life, cultural memory, and graphic narrative. Wang’s practice transcends conventional comic formats, often delving into anthropological observations and poetic documentation of urban and rural landscapes.

Lecture Abstract
Comics, as an art form, occupy a unique space in our cultural consciousness—simultaneously familiar and enigmatic. In China, the decline of print media has led to the gradual disappearance of traditional comic publications, yet comics themselves are far more than mere physical artifacts. As a medium with a nearly 300-year history, the language and expressive techniques of comics have permeated countless artistic disciplines, from film and animation to contemporary digital art. This lecture will dissect the observational methodologies intrinsic to comics, offering insights into the speaker’s accumulated wisdom from years of study and creative practice.

Wang Shuo will guide the audience through the core principles of comic creation, emphasizing how this art form trains practitioners to see the world through a lens of fragmentation, juxtaposition, and symbolic abstraction. Participants will engage with simple yet profound exercises designed to illuminate the relevance of comic language to daily life—whether in interpreting social interactions, processing emotions, or reimagining mundane experiences. By demystifying the structural and philosophical underpinnings of comics, the lecture aims to demonstrate that this medium is not an esoteric pursuit but an accessible, vital mode of expression. As Wang argues, "Comics should be a close companion in our lives, a tool for understanding both the self and the complexities of the world around us."

Organizers
School of Foreign Languages, Renmin University of China
Research Center for World Literature and the Common Values of Humankind, Renmin University of China

Key Takeaways for Attendees:

·A deeper understanding of comics as a multidisciplinary art form.

·Practical techniques for applying comic-inspired observation to creative or academic work.

·Insight into the evolving role of comics in China’s cultural landscape.

·An opportunity to interact with a leading figure in independent comic art.

We look forward to your participation in this exploration of comics as both a mirror and a map of human experience.