Fascinated in detail and humanity, Wang has dedicated much of his works to reflecting on human psyche through figurative representation of his subjects, only as a substitute for the lack of a solid grip on composition and self-confidence, he says. After two years of continuous and profound contemplation on humanistic philosophy, gauging deep into the relationship between his own life and society, Wang emerges from the shadow of his former realistic traits to transform into an artist at ease with his own stylistic language.
The Searching for Light and Sinking & Floating series, therefore, represent Wang’s more engaging and deeply thoughtful exploration of human nature. The Searching for Light series is Wang Xiao Bo’s reflection on childhood from the lens of a father who sees his younger self in his own children. From the perspective of his subject, a curious little boy searching for light, Wang illustrates the younger generation’s genuine aspirations for truth and the future. The Sinking & Floating series, one the other hand, is Wang’s retrospect to the first half of his life using a fat woman as a humorous metaphor for social expectations to suggest a tongue-in-cheek narrative of the vicissitude of life.