| Alfonso Wong | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1923-05-27)27 May 1923[citation needed] Tianjin,Republic of China |
| Died | 1 January 2017(2017-01-01) (aged 93) California,United States |
| Nationality | Hong Kong |
| Area(s) | Cartoonist |
| Pseudonym(s) | Wong Chak (王澤), Alphonso Wong |
Notable works | Old Master Q series |
| Alfonso Wong | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 王家禧 | ||||||||||||
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| Wong Chak | |||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 王澤 | ||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 王泽 | ||||||||||||
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Alfonso Wong Kar-Hei (Chinese:王家禧; 27 May 1923 – 1 January 2017), also known by his pen nameWong Chak, was aHong Kongmanhua artist who created one of the longest-runningcomic strips,Old Master Q, that became popular across Asia.
Wong was born inTianjin,Republic of China.[1] He studied Western art atFu Jen Catholic University, then based inBeijing and finished school by 1944. In 1956, he moved south toBritish Hong Kong.[2] He was responsible for drawings inBibles for a FrenchCatholic 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 manhuaOld Master Q.[2] The comic was one of the most influential pieces of work in Hong Kong under British rule before it wastransferred 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 withmainlanders 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 andJapanesemanga. Later adaptations into movies,Chinese animation and other works of fiction continued well after his retirement. He later emigrated to theUnited States and retired by the mid-1990s, leaving his son Joseph Wong in charge of the Old Master Q series since then.[5]
In an exhibition showcasing Wong, theHong 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 bothSotheby's andChristie's auction houses.[3]
Wong wasambidextrous (i.e. capable of drawing with both hands)[7] and particularly enjoyed drawing fish.[8] He used his eldest son's nameWong Chak (王澤;王泽;Wáng Zé;wong4 zaak6) as a pen-name and relinquished the comic to him in 1995. Wong died oforgan failure on 1 January 2017, at the age of 93.[3][9][10]
He was also the son of the ethnic-Manchu Chinese warlordWang Chengbin.
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| National | |
