Matthew Wong

Matthew Wong (Chinese: 王俊傑  1984/03 - 2019/10) was a Chinese-Canadian artist known for his self-taught painting skills. He gained critical acclaim before his death at age 35. Roberta Smith, co-chief art critic at The New York Times, hailed him as "one of the most talented painters of his generation."

Biography

Wong was born in Toronto in 1984. His family moved to Hong Kong when he was seven, returning to Canada when he was fifteen to support his autism treatment. Wong studied cultural anthropology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, graduating in 2007. He later earned a Master of Fine Arts in photography from the City University of Hong Kong School of Creative Media in 2012.

Wong, who battled Tourette syndrome and depression, tragically took his own life in Edmonton, Alberta, in 2019.

Art Career

Wong began his creative journey with photography in 2009 and shifted to drawing in 2012. He started painting landscapes in 2014, blending Chinese ink painting techniques with Western themes. His large-scale works often focused on landscapes, integrating elements of both Chinese and Western painting styles.

Returning to Canada in 2016, Wong gained recognition for his paintings, notably "The West," acquired by the Dallas Museum of Art in 2017. He exhibited in New York and Hong Kong, receiving praise for his 2018 solo exhibition at Karma Gallery.

Wong's paintings, rare on the market, continue to attract significant interest in auctions. His studio in Edmonton remains preserved as a testament to his artistic legacy.