Matthew Wong

Matthew Wong, a Canadian artist, specialized in creating vivid and captivating paintings that depicted landscapes and still life, often infused with a subtle melancholic undertone.

Dealing with Tourette syndrome and grappling with depression for the majority of his adult life, Wong's struggles added a layer of complexity to his artistic expression. Despite these challenges, he channeled his emotions into his work, producing pieces that resonated with viewers for their beauty and the underlying emotional depth that reflected his journey.

Biography of Matthew Wong

Born in 1984 in Toronto, Canada, Matthew Wong's journey in the arts was a distinctive evolution. Initially majoring in cultural anthropology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, he earned his degree in 2007.

Despite this background, it wasn't until 2009 that Wong delved into the world of art, initially exploring photography. His passion for the visual arts continued to evolve, leading him to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in photography at the City University of Hong Kong School of Creative Media, completing it in 2012.

However, feeling unfulfilled with photography, Wong shifted gears in 2012, transitioning to drawing and later expanding into painting landscapes in 2014. In 2016, he returned to Canada, settling in Edmonton. During this period, he crossed paths with Matthew Higgs, the curator and director of White Columns Gallery, a meeting that would pave the way for Wong's exhibitions in New York and Hong Kong.

Tragically, at the age of 35, Matthew Wong succumbed to suicide in Edmonton, Alberta, in 2019. 

Matthew Wong's Art Style

Matthew Wong's distinctive artistic style is characterized by solitary figures navigating through ethereal, imaginary landscapes and emotionally charged interiors, all crafted from the recesses of his memory. Infused with bright fauvist colors, his intricate compositions, marked by complexity and dappled nuances, often flirt with the boundaries of abstraction.

In his early artistic endeavors, Wong employed an unconventional technique, pouring ink onto inexpensive sketch pads. This experimental phase eventually evolved into his recognizable oeuvre of oil and watercolor paintings, showcasing his mastery in transforming humble materials into compelling works of art.

Wong's artistic prowess has garnered recognition, with his pieces finding a place in the esteemed collections of institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto. His legacy endures through the tangible presence of his creations in these renowned art establishments.