a|n gallery Presents “Artoons by Ronnie Wong”: An Exhibition of Humorous and Imaginative Chinese Paintings

a|n gallery is proud to present “Artoons”: a new solo exhibition by Hong Kong artist Ronnie Wong. From July 6th until July 22nd, 2022, the exhibition will showcase 24 of Wong’s artworks that merge Chinese painting and calligraphy in a humorous, imaginative light.

A self-named “Naïve Surrealist”, Ronnie Wong is an experienced educator, painter, illustrator, cartoonist, and clay sculptor. His technique manifests as instinctive impulses and vivid imagination, used to portray everyday life. He believes that one can find beauty in what is improvised and spontaneous—after all, life is full of wonders and surprises. His paintings and sculptures capture the allure of everyday objects and imbue them with a strong sense of positivity.

Wong is an enthusiast of classical Chinese literature. He is inspired by the poems, verses, fiction, and prose of authors throughout the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. His sources of inspirations include: Song poets Su Dong Po and Wang Anshi; Yuan sanqu writer Chen Zaoan; Yuan poet and playwright Ma Zhiyuan; Ming literati Zhang Dafu; and Tang poet Li Bai. In his art, Wong combines different elements of Chinese literature to depict daily life in an innovative, humorous way. Family members and friends are light-heartedly depicted as animals, celebrating family values and kinship. While “Dragon Boat Festival” and “The Thunder of Drumming” portray traditional festivities, pieces like “The Tea Child”, “Tea Gathering”, “Tea Treat” and “Tea in the Mountains” explore Chinese tea culture. Meanwhile, “The Quiet Mountains” and “Gloomy Look” are sentimental reflections of life. Other works represent natural scenery, like “Rain on Lotus”, “Misty Rain”, “A Dream in a Rainy Night” and “The Cloud Images”.

Ronnie Wong obtained his Master of Arts degree in Practice Design (Illustration) at Northumbria University, Newcastle. His works are characterised by a stylistic unity—one that combines the artistic traditions of East and West. His pastel painting on woodblock and ink painting were shortlisted by the Hong Kong Art Biennial Exhibition in 1987 and 2000. From 2000 to 2014, Wong participated in various art exhibitions in Asia, and was twice shortlisted by the International Watercolour Exhibition Japan. In 2010, Wong was invited to Seoul, South Korea to demonstrate his painting and clay sculpting at the Uiwang International Placard Art Festival. His recent exhibitions in Hong Kong include “Drawing on Letters, A Solo Exhibition of Ronnie Wong Lai Keung” in 2015, a joint-exhibition with Frank Wong at Citywalk Gallery and a solo exhibition at the Visual Art Centre in 2016. His work “Rescuing the Endangered Mountain” was shortlisted in “ART meets ECMO”, a calendar exhibition organized by EuroELSO in 2019.

Details of “Artoons by Ronnie Wong”:

Date: 6 July to 22 July 2022 (Mon – Fri)

Time: 2:30 to 6:30pm

Venue: a|n Gallery (Unit 201, Tung Chai Building, 86-90 Wellington Street, Central)

Enquiry: Telephone: 3749 9878 or e-mail to cs@artnextexpo.com