These paintings are breathtaking, Deborah. I'm so glad you shared this piece today. Matthew Wong was unknown to me till today. I love the paintings you've included here and thoroughly appreciate your insightful descriptions. Thanks for pointing out that tiny figure in "The Realm of Appearances." I was so blown away by the patterns and colors, I would have missed the human being in the corner. Nature is large, man is small. That is the truth of things. Sometimes it takes an artist like Matthew Wong to remind us of that. Thanks so much for making me aware of this incredible artist, gone too soon it seems. But then, it was probably the right time for him.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here, Andrew. One of the things I love most is being able to introduce to others the artwork and poetry that inspires me, hoping others will enjoy them as much as I did. So you response is so gratifying.
Oh my! Thank you for the beautiful introduction to Matthew Fong. I as not acquainted with him at all and am now eager to see more of his work. I love the vibrant colors and the sheer vibrancy that emanates from his work. The Night Watcher is my favorite of these (that moon!) but the Starry Night is also stunning. Thank you for this informative and inspiring post.
I'm so happy you enjoyed his work, and pleased to share it with you and others. Yes, there are so many more of Wong's paintings I'm sure you will like.
Thank you for sharing Wong's work with us, Deborah. I wasn't familiar with it!
I really like Wong's somewhat simple, and naive, style. Yet, the embellishments of repetitive shapes and patterns are deeply hypnotic and meditative to the eye. They remind me somewhat of the Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who I believe was also self-taught but embellished his paintings with a similar tapestry of patterns, shapes, and simplistic imagery.
And, of course, Yayoi Kusama comes to mind. At first glance, her brightly colored polka dots, patterns, shapes, and imagery feel fun and whimsical, but her work also stems from a much darker place of abuse and mental health issues.
I'm glad you liked his work, Michael. You are right about the repetitive shapes and patterns being deeply hypnotic. I hadn't realized that, but it's true. I'm not familiar with the other artists you mention, but will look them up. It's strange how many talented artist struggle with depression and addictions. Perhaps it takes them to places in the subconscious that so so may of us are not privy to.
I also love the self-taught aspect of his work (and the same with the other artists I cited). Whilst I used the word "naive" not to be dismissive (and I hope it wasn't read like that), the term is used in the sense of the more simplistic elements and principals of art and design and drawing skills. It does, however, allow for art that is very honest and still deeply emotive. These artists were often viewed as "outsider artists," as they were outside the realm of the learned artist. Some of my favorite artists are self-taught outsiders!
I too think there's something fresh and exciting in these talented self-taught artists. There's a rawness and a primitive beauty that moves me. And yes, deeply emotive as you say. Thanks so much for expanding further on your insights Michael.
Thank you for the introduction to these beautiful paintings!
Happy to do so! I'm so glad you enjoyed them.
These paintings are breathtaking, Deborah. I'm so glad you shared this piece today. Matthew Wong was unknown to me till today. I love the paintings you've included here and thoroughly appreciate your insightful descriptions. Thanks for pointing out that tiny figure in "The Realm of Appearances." I was so blown away by the patterns and colors, I would have missed the human being in the corner. Nature is large, man is small. That is the truth of things. Sometimes it takes an artist like Matthew Wong to remind us of that. Thanks so much for making me aware of this incredible artist, gone too soon it seems. But then, it was probably the right time for him.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here, Andrew. One of the things I love most is being able to introduce to others the artwork and poetry that inspires me, hoping others will enjoy them as much as I did. So you response is so gratifying.
Oh my! Thank you for the beautiful introduction to Matthew Fong. I as not acquainted with him at all and am now eager to see more of his work. I love the vibrant colors and the sheer vibrancy that emanates from his work. The Night Watcher is my favorite of these (that moon!) but the Starry Night is also stunning. Thank you for this informative and inspiring post.
I'm so happy you enjoyed his work, and pleased to share it with you and others. Yes, there are so many more of Wong's paintings I'm sure you will like.
Captivating! Thanks for the introduction to his work.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Joyce! Thanks for letting me know.
Thank you for sharing Wong's work with us, Deborah. I wasn't familiar with it!
I really like Wong's somewhat simple, and naive, style. Yet, the embellishments of repetitive shapes and patterns are deeply hypnotic and meditative to the eye. They remind me somewhat of the Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who I believe was also self-taught but embellished his paintings with a similar tapestry of patterns, shapes, and simplistic imagery.
And, of course, Yayoi Kusama comes to mind. At first glance, her brightly colored polka dots, patterns, shapes, and imagery feel fun and whimsical, but her work also stems from a much darker place of abuse and mental health issues.
I'm glad you liked his work, Michael. You are right about the repetitive shapes and patterns being deeply hypnotic. I hadn't realized that, but it's true. I'm not familiar with the other artists you mention, but will look them up. It's strange how many talented artist struggle with depression and addictions. Perhaps it takes them to places in the subconscious that so so may of us are not privy to.
I also love the self-taught aspect of his work (and the same with the other artists I cited). Whilst I used the word "naive" not to be dismissive (and I hope it wasn't read like that), the term is used in the sense of the more simplistic elements and principals of art and design and drawing skills. It does, however, allow for art that is very honest and still deeply emotive. These artists were often viewed as "outsider artists," as they were outside the realm of the learned artist. Some of my favorite artists are self-taught outsiders!
I too think there's something fresh and exciting in these talented self-taught artists. There's a rawness and a primitive beauty that moves me. And yes, deeply emotive as you say. Thanks so much for expanding further on your insights Michael.