How many? Art Gallery

　　How many? Art Gallery is located by the Wenfeng Pagoda in Nantong. Built in 1989. Mr. Wang How-many? was a disciple of the Wu (Changshuo) school and a master of traditional Chinese painting. Mr. How-many? fully inherited the outstanding traditions of the Wu school’s art, explored for over seventy years, and was known as the “Contemporary Master of the Wu School.” The gallery houses over 200 calligraphy and painting works donated to the Nantong Municipal Government by Mr. How-many?’s relatives in accordance with his last wishes, as well as treasured calligraphy and paintings by historical figures collected by him.　　

　　Wang How-many? (1897–1988), whose given name was Xian and courtesy name Qizhi, was from Haimen County. At the age of 16, he went to Nantong to study, showing a deep love for poetry, literature, epigraphy, calligraphy, and painting. At 27, introduced by Zhu Zongyuan, he went to Shanghai to become the private tutor of Wu Changshuo, while also studying calligraphy, painting, and seal carving under Wu, becoming his distinguished disciple. He once served as a professor at Shanghai Xinhua Art University, Soochow University, and Changming Art Specialized School, as well as a professor and head of the Chinese Painting Department at Shanghai Art Academy. After the founding of New China, he held positions such as Vice President and Honorary President of the Shanghai Art Academy, Council Member of the China Artists Association, Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Branches of the China Artists Association and the Calligraphers Association, Vice President of the Xiling Seal Art Society, and a member of the Shanghai Research Institute of Culture and History. He was a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference during its third, fourth, and fifth sessions. He visited Japan three times and traveled to Singapore in 1985 to give lectures and hold art exhibitions, promoting international cultural exchange.  Wang How-many? achieved great accomplishments and developed his own unique style in painting, calligraphy, seal carving, poetry, and lyrics. In his paintings, he integrated the essence of the Wu Studio while learning from nature and immersing himself in life, developing a distinctive style. In his later years, he painted boldly, breaking away from the Wu school’s conventions and elevating the Shanghai school of art to new heights. His calligraphy featured the brushwork of Stone Drum inscriptions, with a dynamic interplay between stillness and motion, bold and vigorous strokes rich in an epigraphic feel; his running and cursive scripts achieved a divine mastery seemingly effortlessly. His seal carving reached back to the Qin and Han dynasties, conveying grandeur and vitality within tiny spaces, all executed to perfection. His poetry resembled folk songs from the Music Bureau, with the style of Bai Juyi.　　

　　Wang How-many? compiled his works into published collections, including How-many? Painting Collection, How-many? Seal Catalog, Wang How-many? Frost Tea Pavilion Poetry Collection, and Wang How-many? Musings. He passed away at an advanced age, leaving behind many exquisitely crafted works. By his last will, his paintings, calligraphy, personal masterpieces, and possessions were donated to his hometown. Nantong City built the How-many? Art Gallery by Sanyuan Bridge to house them.