Wang Banzai

• Wang Banzai, originally named Wang Zhaojun, was also known by the sobriquets Yune and Banhan. He was a native of Rizhao, Shandong. As a child, he was raised in the household of his maternal grandfather Zheng Songyan, a renowned local scholar skilled in poetry, calligraphy, and painting. In 1933, Wang enrolled in the National Beiping Art Specialized School, where he studied under Qi Baishi, Huang Binhong, and Wen Yiduo. After graduation, he held a solo exhibition in Beiping and received sixty colophons written by Qi Baishi. He was a member of the China Artists Association and held the title of National First-Class Artist.