Earlier this year,
, the writer of , introduced me to an artist I didn't know before: Matthew Wong. I was instantly mesmerized by his art, and his personal story reminded me so much of Vincent van Gogh.An Unlikely Beginning
Born on March 8, 1984, in Toronto, Canada, Matthew Wong's path to becoming an artist was anything but conventional. Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and Tourette syndrome as a child, he often felt isolated and out of sync with others. He studied cultural anthropology and photography in college and, after graduation, had an internship at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Hong Kong.
It wasn't until 2013, at age 29, that Wong first picked up a paintbrush. In an era of instant gratification, he chose the harder path: teaching himself to paint by studying art books, watching YouTube videos, and relentless practice.
Bridging Two Worlds
What makes Wong's story fascinating is his unique position as the first truly great painter of the social media age. While his paintings evoked van Gogh's emotional intensity and post-impressionist style, Wong used Instagram to share his progress and connect with the art world. He would spend 12 hours a day painting in his studio, creating an unprecedented digital diary of his artistic evolution.
His unique position as both a traditional painter and digital native bridged two worlds. This bridge between traditional craftsmanship and digital connection allowed him to build a global audience while creating deeply personal, handcrafted works.
The Battle Within
Despite his rising success, Wong faced significant personal challenges. Living with autism and depression, he often worked in isolation in Edmonton, where he moved with his mother. His art was a form of expression and a way of coping with the complex emotions he faced daily. Much like van Gogh, he experienced intense periods of despair, which at times were almost unbearable.
The solitude became both his burden and his catalyst for creativity. His paintings explored what we might call the "vastness of everything," capturing landscapes and skies in a way that feels both lonely and soothing.
Through his art, Wong invited viewers to see solitude as something beautiful and introspective, rather than isolating. His work resonated with anyone who ever felt alone or out of place, transforming these feelings into something profoundly moving and relatable.
The Light Breaks Through
In 2018, Wong's first solo exhibition at Karma Gallery in New York marked his turning point. Art critics and collectors were stunned by his mastery of color and emotion. His paintings, often featuring solitary figures in vast, vibrant landscapes, spoke to a universal feeling of isolation in our hyperconnected world. The show sold out completely, and suddenly, the self-taught painter from Toronto was being hailed as one of the most important new voices in contemporary art.
This breakthrough wasn’t about fame for Wong. It was a validation of his vision and a testament to his talent. Like van Gogh, he found beauty in the everyday and managed to transform it into something extraordinary, reaching people in ways he may have never anticipated.
Windows Into Other Worlds
Wong's most celebrated works demonstrate his extraordinary ability to create landscapes that exist somewhere between reality and dreams. His nightscapes, using deep blues and rich yellows, capture scenes that feel both comforting and mysterious. "The Kingdom" combines elements of Eastern and Western art traditions.
Works like "Blue Night" invite viewers to linger in contemplation.
His signature style combined brilliant blues, flaming oranges, and deep greens, making viewers feel lost and found simultaneously. Each painting became a window into a world that felt both familiar and otherworldly.
A Meteoric Rise
Within just six years of beginning to paint, Wong achieved what many artists spend lifetimes pursuing. Major galleries sought his work, museums began acquiring his paintings, and collectors paid increasingly high prices. His paintings are now sold for millions at auction. "The Night Watcher" sold for $4.8 million in 2021, marking him as one of the most commercially successful artists of his generation.
A Lasting Light
Tragically, Wong died by suicide in 2019 at the age of 35, leaving behind a body of work that continues to grow in influence and importance. Today, his paintings hang in prestigious institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim. Just as van Gogh's work became iconic after his lifetime, Wong's paintings continue to gain admiration, resonating with those who find comfort in his expressions of solitude.
I’m stunned by his creations, sublime and beautiful. I wasn’t expecting the conclusion though, I’m in tears, such a tragedy, a wonderful and visionary human being, the world is a lesser place without him and his art.
A beautiful biography; his art resonates with me. It is beyond tragic that he is no longer here making beautiful things. Thank you so much.