Art's Connections

Huang Xiang is considered to be one of the greatest poets of 20th century China and a master calligrapher. Often referred to as "the Walt Whitman of China", Huang Xiang spent over twelve years in Chinese prisons and was tortured and put on death row twice for writing his lyrical, free-spirited poetry and for his advocacy of human rights in China. His inspiring story has been the subject of an award winning PBS documentary and his heroic pursuit for freedom and democracy in China has been documented in the book, 'Coming Alive; China After Mao' . He has been described as a 'poet on fire' a human torch who burns as a lamp of freedom and enlightenment.

Huang Xiang's poetry and calligraphy is internationally recognized and the Italian press has reported he is a Nobel prize nominee for Literature. Huang Xiang says the art he creates with William Rock, "is highly creative and is something that has not been done before." Twenty of his books have been published in several languages. Huang Xiang's mission today is to use the Century Mountain Project, his art and performance to build a bridge between East and West and to promote a universal humanity. After completing a residency with the City of Asylum/Pittsburgh, Huang Xiang and his wife, the writer, Zhang Ling, live in New York City. In 2008, for the first time in eleven years, Huang Xiang successfully returned to China and visited family and friends.

William Rock is both a citizen of Ireland and the U.S. He studied drawing at

The California Art Institute and taught himself to paint and sculpt by travelling to museums around the world. He has been immersed in Eastern thought and practice for seventeen years, studying and teaching with Tibetan and Chinese monks. In 2006 his 'transcendent' paintings inspired a month long arts celebration held in the USA entitled 'Spirit Unfolding'. William Rock's art has been exhibited internationally  and he has taught and spoken extensively on the nature of creativity, mysticism and art. He has been instrumental in producing several cultural events that promote and embrace art as a connective dialogue for humanity.