“I was steeped in Chinese traditional art while growing up in China. I am also deeply interested in the ancient art form of the Chinese written language and literature. With this background, I immigrated to the U.S. in 1970. In 1996, I received my BA in Art History from Salem College which opened the door to Western art for me. Since 1996, I have been studying printmaking at Wake Forest University under Professor David Faber. For almost 10 years, I immersed myself solely in printmaking. However, since 2004, I’ve been slowly returning to the tradition of Chinese art, incorporating my Asian interests and knowledge into mixed media work. Specifically, I use woodcut relief in a major part of my work because it was the very traditional medium my Chinese ancestors used to reproduce texts and illustrations. My inspiration comes mainly from nature. Living in North Carolina affords me plenty of rich images with the abundant flora and fauna and seasonal changes. My natural subject matters often mingle with text in Chinese characters-a poetry of some sort in my mind.”

Dr. Wu’s dedication to Salem Academy and College has been truly remarkable. Over the course of 12 years on the Board of Trustees, he provided steadfast leadership, notably as chair of the grounds committee, where he guided the care, preservation, and enhancement of Salem’s campus and facilities. His leadership played a key role in the renovation of the historic Single Sisters House and the construction of the Student Center. A passionate supporter of both the Academy and College, Dr. Wu remains one of Salem’s most enthusiastic advocates within the Winston-Salem community.