ELEANOR WONG

My practice is rooted in my exploration of meaningful connections - connection to oneself, to others, and to the world we inhabit.

Within my work animals serve as a powerful gateway to establishing these connections. Animals, which have always held a special place in my heart, become characters in my compositions. Much like the central roles they play in Disney and children's movies, animals unveil a soul more clearly, liberated from the immediate judgments associated with human appearances.  Seeing the essence of a soul through an animal, we form a connection not only with ourselves but with each other.

My process begins with play, tapping into the imaginative realm of my inner child and drawing inspiration from the unfiltered creativity of my own children. I take starting points from childhood drawings and ideas, and I set up dioramas playing and creating scenes, then drawing from observation I get to know and understand the visual elements, working to capture the energy and essence of imagined dialogues and emotions. While not always apparent in the finished paintings, the dialogue that is constant in my mind infuses my work with emotion and imagination.

Working on board, canvas & paper, directly from my detailed drawings and explorations, I build my semi-abstract paintings. I navigate a delicate balance between intentional ambiguity, and figuration, inviting viewers to engage their imagination and fill in the gaps. The work evolves through layers, starting with working over my old pieces, I like that they hold history of previous play, a layer of endless ideas, unconfined and free, then blending drawing and painting in acrylic, and mixed watercolor mediums, which help me navigate as I explore.

I love to catch how our childhood selves persist in our imaginations, and those carefree, playful moments serve as powerful reminders of the child within, exposing the essence of who we once were but also acting as reminders of our connection to our true selves and to each other.

In my current series of paintings, I’m exploring ideas around the game of hide and seek, merging friendships and connections across species. It opens up space for your imagination to wander, an invitation to rediscover the joy of your inner child. This condensed representation captures the core concept guiding my exploration, of the connections intricately linking us all together.

Eleanor Wong, 2023