Alfonso Wong
Born(1923-05-27)27 May 1923
Tianjin, Republic of China
Died1 January 2017(2017-01-01) (aged 93)
California, United States
NationalityHong Kong
Area(s)Cartoonist
Pseudonym(s)Wong Chak (王澤), Alphonso Wong
Notable works
Old Master Q series
Alfonso Wong
Chinese王家禧
Wong Chak
Traditional Chinese王澤
Simplified Chinese王泽

Alfonso Wong Kar-hei (Chinese: 王家禧; 27 May 1923 – 1 January 2017), also known by his pen name Wong Chak, was a Hong Kong manhua artist who created one of the longest-running comic strips, Old Master Q, that became popular across Asia.

Biography

Wong was born in Tianjin, Republic of China.[1] He studied Western art at Fu Jen Catholic University, then based in Beijing and finished school by 1944. In 1956, he moved south to British Hong Kong.[2] He was responsible for drawings in Bibles for a French Catholic missionary in the colony[3] and also became the art editor for Hong Kong Catholic magazine, Lok Fung Pao (乐峰报; 樂峰報; Lè Fēng Bào; lok6 fung1 bou3).[4]

Wong became well known in 1961 when he made the manhua Old Master Q.[2] The comic was one of the most influential pieces of work in Hong Kong under British rule before it was transferred back to China, and was popular across Asia.[3] It voiced the opinions of the citizens in an exaggerated comical sense at a time when comics avoided controversial political issues. From integration with mainlanders to the education gap, there were few limitations being broached by the sensitive subjects which accompanied his stories. The comic became known for maintaining popularity for over 40 years against endless competition with other Hong Kong manhua and Japanese manga. Later adaptations into movies, Chinese animation and other works of fiction continued well after his retirement. He later emigrated to the United States and retired by the mid-1990s.[5]

In an exhibition showcasing Wong, the Hong Kong Arts Centre called his work, "a collective memory of Chinese-speaking communities around the world."[3][6] Original pieces of Wong's work have been exhibited by both Sotheby's and Christie's auction houses.[3]

Personal life

Wong was ambidextrous (i.e. capable of drawing with both hands) [7] and particularly enjoyed drawing fish.[8] He used his eldest son's name Wong Chak (王澤; 王泽; Wáng Zé; wong4 zaak6) as a pen-name and relinquished the comic to him in 1995. Wong died of organ failure on 1 January 2017, at the age of 93.[3][9][10]

He is also the son of the ethnic-Manchu Chinese warlord Wang Chengbin.

References

  1. ↑ "Old Master Q comics and Alfonso Wong Kar-hei: a timeline". Young Post | South China Morning Post. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  2. 1 2 "In pictures: The life of 'Old Master Q' creator Alfonso Wong". BBC News. 4 January 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Kam, Vivian; Berlinger, Joshua (3 January 2017). "Alfonso Wong, 'Old Master Q' cartoonist, dies at 93". CNN.com. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  4. ↑ Wong, Wendy Siuyi. [2002] (2001) Hong Kong Comics: A History of Manhua. Princeton Architectural Press, New York. ISBN 1-56898-269-0
  5. ↑ Kao, Ernest (3 January 2017). "Life in six panels: Old Master Q creator Alfonso Wong dies at 93". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  6. ↑ Knott, Kylie (11 December 2016). "Old Master Q comic exhibition celebrates Hong Kong humour". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  7. ↑ Shan, Shelley (4 January 2017). "'Old Master Q' cartoonist Alfonso Wong dies aged 93". Taipei Times. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  8. ↑ Ibarrola, Khristian (3 January 2017). "'Old Master Q' comic creator Alfonso Wong passes away—reports". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  9. ↑ "Lao Fu Zi creator Alfonso Wong dies at the age of 93". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  10. ↑ Cheng, Sabine; Chen, Christie (3 January 2017). "Creator of popular comic strip 'Old Master Q' dies at 93". Central News Agency. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
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