The artist Karla Wong is shown her with two of her paintings. An exhibition of her works called “Tales and Stories” opens at the Addison Center for the Arts on Wednesday, Oct. 6 and remains through Saturday, Nov. 6. The public is invited to the artist’s reception on Saturday, Oct. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. Face masks are required to attend this reception.
The exhibition “Tales and Stories” by Karla Wong opens at the Addison Center for the Arts on Wednesday, Oct. 6. The public is invited to the artist’s reception on Saturday, Oct. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. Face masks are required to attend this reception.
The ACA will feature the dreamlike paintings of Karla Wong, a rising art star of international renown who lives in Addison. Recently, Karla Wong was awarded Best in Show at the Alliance of Fine Art’s 2021 “Best of the Best Show” for one of her colorful magical realist paintings that incorporate themes of Mexican folklore and, more recently, pop-culture genres like steampunk.
“In each of my works, I try to express the love that I have for culture that is ingrained in me,” Wong said. “I chose to reach out beyond the typical and enter the world of magical surrealism, creating my own characters …I gave them their own life, playing with the colors without sparing anything.”
She has been in group shows and had solo exhibitions throughout the Chicago metro area including the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, Woman Made Gallery, and she is an award-winning member of the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild.
In addition to being a local hero, Karla Wong’s artistic influence is being recognized internationally. In October/November 2019, Wong organized “Guelaguetza de Colores” at the Addison Center for the Arts, where she curated a group show of local and Mexican artists. She regularly exhibits in Mexico and has collaborated with Middle and South American consulates and cultural ambassadors.
“I have exhibited my work in the state of Oaxaca, in Puebla and Mexico City, as well as in museums, houses of culture, cultural centers, government dependencies and municipal palaces,” she said. “Beautiful places have served as framework to my art.”
She grew up in Oaxaca, Mexico, and she feels like her heart is still there.
Professionally, Karla Wong began her career working for the Attorney General of Justice of the State of Oaxaca as a professional forensic and witness sketch artist. She continues working in this field today.
“I consider myself a self-taught painter,” she said. “That raw ability was the one that helped me enter the justice field, and I try to improve in each of my works. I first used pencil, then I moved to oil.”
“Tales and Stories” by Karla Wong continues through Saturday, Nov. 6.
