Stewart Wong
Stewart is a mixed-media studio and public artist whose work ranges from fiber arts to three-dimensional constructs, installations and sculpture. His work is influenced by his curiosity of the built and natural environment and the structure and mechanics of those environments. The work he produces is reflective of his knowledge and experience melding craft with technology. He composes variety of materials, applications and techniques - adding layers of purpose, meaning and intrigue.
"When I create or design something, the project's concept dictates what my material composition will likely be."
He received his BFA in Design from Cornish College in Seattle. His public art installations include an Asian-American monument at Bernalillo County Courthouse in Albuquerque, the Sammamish Park and Ride for King County Metro and the Wing Luke Museum's Community Hall.
Stewart was born in the Territory of Hawaii to 3rd and 4th generation parents. His Paternal grandmother is Native Hawaiian from Punalu'u Oahu and his great grandfather Henry Awa Wong was a prominent Honolulu Investor. His maternal grandparents arrived in Hawaii before statehood during the Exclusion Act period and the Big 5's (a major political and economic power in early Hawaii) influence on Hawaii's government and economy. His grandparents were seeking their own Gold Mountain, but their future in the Islands depended on government decisions when Hawaii was still a territory manipulated by the Big 5. His great grand uncle was one of the Big 5's contracted plantation laborers, and his maternal grandfather was a vegetable peddler who eventually opened a restaurant in Palama, Honolulu to provide for the local community.
Relocating to the mainland, he saw that subversion to the dominate culture and inequities were not isolated to Hawaii but were apparent throughout the mainland as well. Through involvement with the Wing Luke Museum, he gained a new perspective of the struggles and adversity faced by Asian laborers, scholars, and businesspersons historically and today. He learned of racially bias laws and contemporary issues often institutionalized in the evolving rule of law.
As a mentor artist, Stewart shares his experience with young people. He led the Wing Luke YouthCan group through creation of conceptual public art proposals that interpret an invisible history of Chinese tenant farmers of Ebey's Landing. He also directed and taught after-school clay programs in the Mercer Island school District.
Stewart's public art also serves to promote awareness of issues of Asians and other AAPI and BIPOC groups in America and their stories:
- Stewart's Wing Luke installation (originally in partnership with Ron Ho) illustrates the transition people experience immigrating to a new world.
- Sammamish P&R draws from the craft of Native American basketry to convey the harmonious relationship the indigenous people had with the land.
- His sculpture at the Bernalillo County Courthouse in Albuquerque (in partnership with Cheryll Leo-Gwin) is dedicated to the efforts of Asian Americans in procuring equitable treatment under the rule of law.
He is a member of Northwest Designer Craftartists, Chinese American Citizens Alliance, and a former Resident Artist at Seward Park Clay Studio.
Curriculum Vitae