Lily Wong finds inspiration in a rich tapestry of references, spanning Eastern mythology, Japanese woodblock prints, and Mughal-illustrated manuscripts, as well as the vibrant and nostalgic aesthetics of pop culture and cartoons. This diverse amalgamation serves as the foundation for her figurative works on paper. In these creations, the protagonists transcend mere subjects; they become embodiments of emotions and experiences, navigating dreamlike spaces and disorienting times. Moreover, they are densely interwoven with references to the Western history of painting.
At the core of Wong's practice is her profound connection to paper as a medium, a choice that harks back to the traditional Sumi ink paintings and her Asian heritage, allowing her to explore themes of memory, intimacy, desire, and the persistent longing for something just beyond our reach. Her work is a dialogue between the past and the present, the tangible and the intangible, seamlessly weaving together elements of Eastern and Western aesthetics and philosophy.
Wong's artistic practice delves deep into the essence of human emotion that defines our most profound experiences. Her work is a composition of color, form, and narrative that explores the vulnerabilities and complexities of the human spirit. Her works are not mere visual experiences but journeys into the heart of personal and poetic introspection, where every stroke and hue unveils the layers of sensations, moods, and the unspoken.
Lily Wong (b. 1989 in Seattle, US) graduated in Printmaking at Rhode Island School of Design, Providence (2011) and Painting at CUNY Hunter College, New York (2020). Her work has been exhibited across the US and Europe. Recent solo and group exhibitions include Art Brussels, Newchild, Brussels (2024); Own Vortex, Lyles & King, New York (2023, solo); Red Thread, curated by Anne-Laure Lemaitre, LATITUDE Gallery, New York (2023); The Minotaur’s Daydreams, curated by Anthony Cudahy, Semiose, Paris (2023); I Will Wade Out, Various Small Fires, Los Angeles (2022, solo); The Beginning Place, Galerie LJ, Paris (2022, solo); Women of Now: Dialogues of Memory, Place & Identity, Green Family Art Foundation, Dallas (2022); Wonder Women, curated by Kathy Huang, Jeffery Deitch, Los Angeles and New York (2022); I is Other, Lyles & King, New York (2022); I Wasn’t There, Kapp Kapp, Philadelphia (2021, solo); Lunations, with Ian Faden, Harper’s Gallery, New York (2021, solo); among others. The artist lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.