Know Your Hong Kong Artists: Vanessa Wong
Visceral visionary Vanessa Wong is known for her intricate illustrations of human organs paired with consumer products, beginning in a series on local Hong Kong snacks titled “Junk Food.” Her latest collection “Entity” focuses on commerical products aimed at women, like ice cream and perfume.
Being an artist or a designer was my dream career when I was a kid. I’ve loved to draw since the beginning.
I started collaborating with Cat Street Gallery last year. The gallery has helped bring my works to Art Taipei and Japan, and now this year’s art fair.
But I’ve been drawing pretty slowly: every time it’s just one or two pieces per show. I’ve been especially slow after I had my baby, Farrah, who’s six months old. It’s even busier than going to work.
“Entity 016,” 2015
My work touches on the essence of consumerism: I want to express how certain products are inseparable from our lives. I use bright colors to depict that same kind of attraction or desire we have.
I’ve thought about doing illustrations for children’s books. Because a lot of the ones I see in Hong Kong are really ugly. I want to draw some for my daughter. Maybe I can use it to teach her about different organs.
A lot of my recently graduated artist friends say that it’s the tough lifestyle [of an artist] that makes them give up. You might get a lot of opportunities when you first come out, but it’s really difficult to sustain. If you’re making a living with just your artwork, and keeping a studio, it’s actually really tough. Not everyone has that charm and perseverance to continue.
There are quite a lot of opportunities for artists nowadays. I’ve gotten quite a lot of good ones. But maybe I’ve just gotten lucky.
Show and Tell
Babycam
I put this here to spy on my daughter when I’m out.
Sketchbook
This is where I sketch new ideas. I decorated the cover using a silkscreen printing technique.
Watercolors
I use this Japanese brand Holbein because it has really bright colors that other brands don’t have—like turquoise and
fluorescent pink. My works are all about pop culture, so they’re perfect.
Early Sketches
These are some of my earliest sketches from three years ago, and they eventually became full-sized watercolors.
I decided to frame them as mementos.
Wong’s paintings can be found at Cat Street Gallery’s booth (C08) at Art Central, Mar 14-16. $200 from www.hkticketing.com.