EvokeOne - v5

2007 has proven to be an exciting year for both you and your art - having really shown your talents in Evoke, you were invited to join the depthCORE community, and have also been accepted into the Limerick School of Art and Design. Now having become a featured artist, it's been quite a year for you, hasn't it?

Yes it definitely has. It has been a great year for me personally. A lot has happened. Evoke is forever growing and I really feel a part of the group. Then, getting into Depthcore was another great feeling. To be accepted and approved by some of the designers and illustrators that I truly admire, it was a great feeling. Among other things, I got my first bit of published exposure in CA Projects

along with countless other smaller things, it all culminated into a great year.

Getting into LSAD then was just the icing on the cake. I've made some great friends there and it really made me realise that art is definitely something I want to do for a living.

The ol addage, if you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life!

(or something like that)

dalla help me out, you're good with these quotations!

I would, but it's my day off! I can guide you through with a few random Confucius quotes though You seem to be on the right track though.

Certainly quite a year! It's been over a year since you joined Evoke in time to submit to our 'Hollywood' exhibition. Do you think your style has changed much since then? How do you think you've progressed and grown as an artist?

Personally, I think it has. I feel I've gotten a lot better technically. I think I'm more consistent too. As for my style, well I'm not sure if I have a defining style. I really try and mix it up and you will see that no more clearer than in Revolution. I think as an artist, I've matured yet I still have that youthful exuberance in my work. I want my work to make people smile.

Your work definitely warms and inspires me individually. Speaking of diversity in your artwork - the release of Revolution has seen you delve into the depths of photography, with an individual submission that made it to release ('Behind Closed Doors'). Have you always wanted to steer into photography or is this simply just a one-off change of tastes?

Oh yes, most definitely. Photography is always something that I've had a keen interest in. I feel that, as an artist, you should be open to experiencing as many different media as possible in order to communicate your message. Which is why photography has always been on the radar for me. I only just recently purchased a dslr camera, which is why I've been able to produce photographs that I think

are of a good enough quality. I'm just going to experiment and have fun with my camera and just see what comes of it!

It's the snaps you take when you're having a bit of fun that can turn out the best! Judging by what you've submitted, I'd definitely continue to try and break down barriers with your photography!

Absolutely!

Now that you're getting into photography, have you considered taking some of your own photos for your work? I see that a lot of your work is photomanipulation, so now you can have creative control over every aspect. Do you feel that photography will help you develop better "full pieces" - through this creative control over all the steps?

It seems many artists these days just take a random stock photo and slap things on, but it seems like you might go beyond that. What do you think about the issue?

I've always considered taking my own photos for my pieces but only up until recently have I actually had the means to use my own photography. Whether that will help with the overall aesthetic of my pieces remains to be seen. My photography skills are still quite limited so professional stock photography is very useful.

Whether using my own photography will help me develop "fuller pieces" remains to be seen.

Very true that many artists do very little to a stock photo. It's all subjective like anything really but in my opinion, advanced photo manipulation requires skill. Many designers/illustrators have proven this down through the years. My thoughts is that there will always be people claiming to be designers because they apply a filter to a stock but you only have to look at the works of the likes

of Jerico Santander and Hejz to realise that it's not all that bad really? haha

McRevolution is a personal favourite of mine - what's the story behind this? How did the idea come about and how did you plan on executing idea technically?

In Ronald we trust or McRevolution - which u prefer?

McRevolution - that was the newer one? Whichever one you think is going to stay in the pack to be honest.

In Ronald we trust then

The story behind it came to me pretty randomly

I was thinking about revolutionary figures because I wanted to make a a very modern day propagandist piece. Almost satirical.

The obvious heads came to mind - Stalin, Che

But then I thought of Ronald

the guy is very similar to them, the poster boy for one of the largest franchises in the world.

So I made a few preliminary sketches until I finally settled on a composition I was happy with

Preliminary sketches? That's a rare concept for many artists these days. Do you usually do a sort of conceptual sketch before you begin working digitally, or do you just let it flow? I remember one artist (maybe it was a writer) said their process involved sitting down and "opening a vein."

What does the one and only Jonathan Wong do to produce these pieces so often featured on Evoke?

Preliminary sketches are done on my more illustrative cartoony pieces. Not so much by photomanipation work.

A pencil and sketchpad are a dream when trying to create composition. Sometimes, it's best to come back to your roots when trying to create your art. A lot of artists have missed that and it's a shame. Traditional means can create something magical that digital will never be able to do and vice versa.

As for how I produce them, I gotta get into the right mind state really.

The world is just one giant pool of inspiration and it's up to you to dive in.

How about your workplace? Do you have a comfort zone or ideal working environment?

I try to avoid a cluttered workspace when working digitally but when I'm working traditionally, more often than not, I've got shit everywhere! It's a mixed basket really.

As for comfort zones, try lying down on a trampoline at night looking up at the stars.

There ya go Orlaith!

Well then! You say that the world is one giant pool of inspiration (I'm gonna keep quoting you on that just for the record) - but where does your inspiration come from usually? Who or what drives you to create? Is it music, other artists, assorted illegal substances, or what?

A lot of music. Friends and family are very important. Be around the right people and you'll do right. Be around the wrong people and you'll do wrong. Simple but true.

No illegal substances needed to get my juices flowing

but to sum it up in one word.

love.

Do you like Bob Marley?

No Woman no Cry baby

Weird. I've got three little birds playing right now

Let's talk a little bit about Jonathan Wong outside of art. When you're not creating masterpieces, how do you spend your time?

Well I'm in the art college most days. A fantastic place to be. Among likeminded, down to earth people, it's a blessing.

And knowing these people, means getting invites to art college parties

It's a win win!

Apart from boozing, I like to play football, listen to music, watch tv - the usual

Do you have any plans for the future - long term and short term?

After all the new year's celebrations, have you penciled in any resolutions you would like to share with the world?

Plans. Enjoy life. Continue my work in design and in college. Hopefully I can get my name out there more through wider exposure. Maybe get a few more clients under my belt. I want to continue growing with evoke and depthcore too.

finally, the fun part.


Dalla's 10 Question Pop Quiz:
1. Favourite Food?
2. Do you think you're sexy?
3. Pepsi or Coke?
4. What's your favourite gaming console?
5. Favourite band or musical artist?
6. Blonde or Brunette?
7. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
8. Favourite Sport?
9. Mac or PC?
10. What is your current homepage?

1. traditional chinese food

hmm, do i think I'm sexy

2. If I say yes, people will think I'm conceited, if I say no, people will think I have low self esteem. I'm just gonna answer yesno

3. coke

4. xbox 360

5. damien rice

6. brunette

7. dont care as long as I'm surrounded by the people I love.

8.football - the one that is actually played hitting the ball with your foot...

9. pc

10. www.artofwong.com

Well then, to sum this all up, give us one piece of advice for every growing artist out there. Make it good, we're going to quote you on this/publish it/air it on BBC.

And put it on my fridge.

no pressure.

A wiseman once told me

"Son, if you're not in bed by 11, don't come home"

thank you and good night

Is that on your fridge now dalla?

I'm just sketching a stick figure painting to put above it then it is

Haha, well Jonathan we have thoroughly enjoyed talking to you and sharing ideas in this meeting of the minds called an interview.

Have a good night and congrats on the feature!

It's morning here, be considerate of the Australians.

Ted, Stefan. It was a pleasure!