Philosophic art-freedom began to fully manifest for Gary Wong in the late 70’s, hastened when he befriended a fast rising art star named Jean-Michel Basquiat. Basquiat had just arrived on the West Coast, showing at Gagosian’s gallery in Venice. Wong, for a day gig, did art cartage for many artists, including Basquiat. “I struck up a friendship with Jean-Michel and we kicked it around for awhile. I was able to see first hand what was happening to him with the gallery scene. At the time, he was still free and not tied up into having to produce a lot. He still had his aesthetic intact. So I took him quite seriously like, you know, ‘this kid is really saying something’. I was affected by his use of words, his use of images, his use of found objects. To me, it was a very Dada thing.” And this, among many influences, has contributed to Wong’s unique artistic statement. He paints on found paintings, makes collages mixed with primitive, visceral imagery, with abstract poetry scratched into the surface. The result: a simple, powerful, cryptic message. Today, Wong remains resolute in his direction. “Knowing what you don’t want carries as much weight as knowing what you do want.”
Gary Wong’s incredible art & music will be featured in the upcoming CALIFORNIA LOCOS 2016 STREET SURF SKATE ART SHOW: June 25-July 2, 2016 in Venice, CA. Opening reception: Sat, June 25, 2016, 7pm. RSVP: [email protected] Chaz Bojórquez, Dave Tourjé, John Van Hamersveld, Norton Wisdom, and Gary Wong—the CALIFORNIA LOCOS— will bring their edgy, sun-soaked styles to this week-long show, while launching the CALIFORNIA LOCOS skateboards by DUSTERS CALIFORNIA, led by creative director Nano Nobrega, and premiering the documentary Crazy World Ain’t It—The Life and Times of John Van Hamersveld. In addition, a new collaborative poster design by John Van Hamersveld and Dave Tourjé will be released, and live music will be provided by eclectic blues provocateurs, LOS SAVAGES, featuring Ian Espinoza, Dave Tourjé, and Gary Wong with Norton Wisdom. @nowisdom @californialocos @Coolhous @chaz_bojorquez @davetourje #garywong #juicemagazine #art #dusterscalifornia #calilocos (at Chinatown, Los Angeles)
