Artist Bio 

Gwen Wong is a fourth-generation Chinese American artist whose work merges cultural heritage 

with natural observation. Drawing inspiration from traditional art and values, Wong employs oil 

paint and gold leaf to create mixed media pieces that juxtapose abstract botanical forms with 

realistic depictions of hummingbirds. With a background in scientific illustration, she seeks to 

visually represent the elusive beauty of sunlight filtering through leaves, translating this intangible experience into art. Their work reflects a deep connection to both personal heritage and the natural world. 

Artist Statement 

“As a fourth-generation Chinese American, my bicultural identity profoundly shapes my art. The 

traditional art and cultural values cherished by my grandparents have resurfaced in my work, blending seamlessly with my personal exploration of nature. 

My background in scientific illustration has deepened my appreciation for the intricate patterns of the natural world. Using a mixed media approach of oil paint and gold leaf, I create a dialogue 

between abstract botanical patterns and realistic depictions of hummingbirds. This fusion allows 

me to explore the tension between traditional imagery and detailed observation. 

In my work, I strive to capture a phenomenon for which there is no English word—the way 

sunlight filters through the leaves of a tree. By translating this elusive quality into visual form, I aim to create a “visual word” that evokes the unique interplay of light and nature. Through this 

approach, I seek to offer a new perspective on the delicate and ephemeral beauty that words 

alone cannot fully express.”