Alfonso Wong

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In this article, the surname is Wong.

Alfonso Wong
Born(1923-05-27)27 May 1923[citation needed]
Tianjin, Republic of China
Died1 January 2017(2017-01-01) (aged 93)
California, United States
NationalityChinese (Hong Kong)
United States
Area(s)Cartoonist
Pseudonym(s)Wong Chak (王澤), Alphonso Wong
Notable works
Old Master Q series
Alfonso Wong
Chinese王家禧
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWáng Jiāxǐ
Wade–GilesWang2 Chia1-hsi3
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpingwong4 gaa1 hei1
Wong Chak
Traditional Chinese王澤
Simplified Chinese王泽
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWáng Zé
Wade–GilesWang2 Tse2
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpingwong4 zaak6

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

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Wong was born in Tianjin, Republic of China.[1] He studied Western art at Fu Jen Catholic University, which was based in Beijing at the time, and graduated by 1944. In 1956, he moved to British Hong Kong.[2] He created drawings for a French Catholic missionary[3] and also became the art editor for a 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 1962 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 and humorous sense at a time when comics avoided controversial political issues. Wong's comic broached subjects including integration with mainlanders to the education gap. The comic became known for maintaining popularity for more than 40 years against endless competition with other Hong Kong manhua and Japanese manga. He later emigrated to the United States and retired by the mid-1990s, leaving his son in charge of the series. Old Master Q has been widely adapted into films, Chinese animation, and other works of fiction.[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

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Wong was ambidextrous[7] and particularly enjoyed drawing fish.[8] His father was general Wang Chengbin.[citation needed]

Wong had three sons with his wife. 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]

References

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  1. ^ "Old Master Q comics and Alfonso Wong Kar-hei: a timeline". Young Post | South China Morning Post. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  2. ^ a b "In pictures: The life of 'Old Master Q' creator Alfonso Wong". BBC News. 4 January 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e 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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