Library

Portrait of Bill McWhorter in Convertible with Boy and Dog

Acrylic on Canvas

 

Martin Wong's "Portrait of Bill McWhorter in Convertible with Boy and Dog," 1975, acrylic on canvas was donated to Cal Poly Humboldt in the fall of 1999.

 

Mr. Wong was born on Portland, Oregon. Wong came to Humboldt County in 1964 to attend Cal Poly Humboldt and study ceramics. He graduated from Cal Poly Humboldt in 1968 and stayed in the area for 14 years, becoming a significant contributor to the vibrant Humboldt arts scene.

 

After his move to New York City, his career soared and he gained national recognition as an artist. His work has been included in a number of collections, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Bronx Museum of Art in New York City. His artworks have been reviewed in the New York Times, ART News, Mother Jones, Art Forum, Art in America, Details, and the International Art Arena. Mr. Wong lived in the Eureka area from 1964 to 1978 and had numerous local friends. He passed away in August of 1999, at the age of 53.

 

Martin Wong currently has art at the P.P.O.W. Gallery in New York; his biography as well as other images can be read and seen there.

 

Florence Wong Fie, formed an organization in honor of her son. Two annual scholarships have been created: a $1,000 scholarship for painting students and a $500 scholarship for ceramic students. The new Martin Wong Scholarship offers opportunity to ensure that Martin's influence will continue to impact students of painting and ceramics for years to come.