On Matthew Wong

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Darren Chiu

A self-taught Canadian artist known for his dappled, dreamy landscapes and still lifes that invite you into his world and encourage you to contemplate your own. His work invoked art historical precedents that ranged from ink wash literati painting, to the sweeping brushstrokes of Vincent Van Gogh, to the intuitive mark-making of abstract expressionism. Despite receiving critical acclaim for his work, he suffered depression all his life and committed suicide at the age of 35.

How to spot his work:

Freckles of paint: Wong dots, smears, and sweeps his canvases with oil paint, creating texture-rich compositions that brim with energy.

Glowing colors: Celestial blues, fiery reds, golden yellows, and rustic greens — his paintings have it all. Even in his darker paintings, there’s always this feeling of light flickering from within.

Never-ending landscapes: The land stretches back, the sky juts forward, and if you look closely enough, you’ll usually find a human or two hidden within the foliage.

At the heart of his paintings is this sense of blissful melancholy. Behind the vibrant colours and dreamy landscapes, his paintings explore his sense of self and personal journey through his rather solitary life.

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