The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2022 - Issue 31

biteartist O ften, an artist will paint with passion, emotion or the need to express themselves in ways that words cannot convey. After years of self-doubt about his work and practice, Chinese-American artist, Ted Wongt, was encouraged by an art collector he had met to go public and start showing. A self-taught creative emerged, with years of experience whose abstractions are calculated with a blend of freedom, curiosity, and inten- sity. Curators have described his work as ‘sophisticated graffiti’. In addition to achieving a degree in Public Relations and Advertising, Wongt studied Watercolour Techniques at the University of California, Berkeley and Figurative Drawing at the Arts Student League of New York. His in- terests include fashion, architecture and interior design. “I guess becoming a painter is the evolution of a creative life without direction,” he said. “Art finds you and gives you purpose.” Emotions such as discouragement, fear, determination, happiness and sadness play a role in his creativity. Although reserved, Wongt is interestedly vocal regard- ing life experiences and his work. In conversation, you discover a unique soul with an in-depth perspective on his surroundings and influences. “My work has currently been focused on concepts of letting go, and I want to take myself out of the equation and have the work flow out organically,” he revealed. “I found myself overthinking outcomes and not enough about the journey.” Upon deciding to become an artist, he recalled the inspi- ration behind his decision. “I think the major push was from living in New York. Just visiting the Chelsea Art District and seeing all the galleries and different pieces of work inspired me to rethink what is art and what can be art.” He also loves the individuality of each creator. “Each artist will focus on different things, and some will show more soul, some more technique. I love seeing it all.” Wongt drew superheroes and animals when he was younger but never took it seriously. “The first pieces I made after I decided to take things more seriously were magazine collages with graffiti markings,” he explained. Today, his influences come from nature, trees, oceans and serenity, which he says are the backdrop of his creative process. He also appreciates things in daily life, city life, and living realities. “I take struggle and triumph in equal parts, and I like to draw my influences from everything.” Whilst the artist says he isn’t technically portraying a message through his work, he wants it to express some- thing. “I want my painting to create moods, and I want my viewers to feel emotion when they see my work.” His current acrylic on canvas collection is a thought-pro- voking collage of colours, movement and brushstrokes. With titles such as Reset, Destination, Courage, Seasonal, Repurpose and Reverse Engineered, these demonstrate his emotional moments. Wongt says he doesn’t focus on particulate subjects but aims to create emotionally driven paintings that the view- er can connect with. “Everybody has their own lives and stories. Hopefully, my work will align with whatever real- ities their lives bring.” The most enjoyable and rewarding moment in making a new piece of work is when it is com- pleted. “I work to let my expression out [and] I get into a zone. [There’s] some tunnel vision that I’m sure most artists have felt before.” He admitted that there are many occasions when he can- not anticipate the outcome of the piece until it is done, but when it is finished, there is a sense of relief. The downside is a creative blockage which can be emotionally frustrat- ing and physically take a toll. “You have to nurture your artistic rhythm every day, and if it slightly derails, it might take weeks and sometimes months to get back into that artistic mindset.” A cutting edge and successful artist brings to mind NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), although Wongt considers this a different form of art. “In painting, I find success in show- ing passion. Art is so subjective that I like to follow oth- er artists who aren’t afraid to put themselves out there in their work. Good work leaves traces of the artist’s soul behind.” He likes to walk on the beach and ground his feet in the sand to relax. He also watches shows and per- formances live or on television and partakes in hot yoga. Wongt prefers a quiet setting to concentrate when work- ing on a piece. Otherwise, he enjoys going to events where people share the same passion, such as sports or music. “[There’s] something about the energy of group-think that I can feel and love.” The artist has participated in ex- hibitions and art fairs in the United States, United King- dom, France and Spain and finds London an inspirational experience. He would love to show worldwide when the opportunity arises. He has a long list of artists he admires but highly respects influential abstract creatives like Joan Mitchell, Willem de Kooning, Cy Twombly and Gerhard Richter. He says so- cial media has changed how the audience connects with artists and believes the industry has to change and adapt. To aspiring artists, he would advise them to keep practic- ing. “Success is not overnight, and it will be a long jour- ney. Don’t be concerned with selling your work too early in your career, but focus more on refining your craft and making something from the heart.” Currently, Wongt has no projects in the pipeline this year other than showing at a few art fairs. Although he doesn’t presently know what the future holds, he admits that’s the exciting part about being an artist. “Every day, you find something new about yourself and your practice. To cre- ate in the present, to live in the future. Opportunities will reveal themselves as long as you keep moving forward. I’m excited to see where the journey takes me.” Ted Wongt’s work can be found on his website and at Saatchi Art. www.tedwongt.com