John Yau’s view

Matthew Wong’s captivating and unique expressions of melancholy have made an impact on many people. Now on view at the AGO, Matthew Wong: Blue View is the first major museum exhibition of his work to date, featuring more than 40 paintings from the artist's Blue Series. During Wong’s life and career, many first encountered the self-taught artist’s work online, coming in contact with his large social media presence. Poet and critic John Yau falls in this category, having first been made aware of Wong’s work interacting with him online in 2013. On Tuesday, March 1, Yau delivered a talk to AGO audiences via Zoom, sharing insights about the painting and writing of Matthew Wong. 

We recently connected with Yau – professor at Rutgers University and author of multiple books of poetry, fiction and criticism – to find out more about his love for the work of Matthew Wong. 

Image courtesy of John Yau

AGOinsider: When and where did you first see Matthew Wong’s work? Do you remember your first reaction?

Yau: The first time I saw a work by Matthew Wong was in 2013 when he sent me a pencil drawing in exchange for a book, In the Realm of Appearances: The Art of Andy Warhol. I was intrigued and interested. Wong had a presence on social media, which is how I became aware of him. One day he sent me a message saying that he could not find my book, In the Realm of Appearances: The Art of Andy Warhol. I suggested that we make a trade and I sent it to him. I did not see another work until his show at Karma. 

AGOinsider: Last summer, for Hyperallergic, the publication you co-founded, you described how seeing his ink drawings showed you how he absorbed Western artists through the lens of Chinese art. In that context, do you think the moniker self-taught should still apply?

Yau: I think self-taught is wrong because of how it is generally used to describe what Roger Cardinal called "outsider artists."  Wong did not go to art school to study painting. Nor did Joseph Cornell, Jasper Johns, or Robert Ryman. Maybe the term "self-educated" is better. 

AGOinsider: As a celebrated poet yourself, are we right to see Matthew’s poems, like his paintings, as an effort to connect directly with the viewer? Or is that an oversimplification?

Yau: I think all poets want to connect with the reader. And that Matthew was no exception.

AGOinsider: It can be hard looking at Wong’s work and not reading into it metaphors for his mental health. As a critic and artist, do you think doing that is a disservice to the artist, or recognition of the art as being personal?

Yau: I think one can be reductive about connecting Matthew's paintings to his mental health. I think one has to be an empathetic review of all art, and that is something to keep in mind. The art is personal, but it is not anecdotal. He wanted to get beyond himself and he did, and that is why we want to look at it. 

AGOinsider: Speaking about Matthew, you wrote, “seamlessly integrated contradictions into his works so that they reveal themselves slowly.” Do you have a favourite of these many contradictions?

Yau: I believe Matthew recognized that he was part of two cultures, one Eastern and the other Western. could he integrate them as they were both part of who he was and how he saw. I am interested in that. 

Matthew Wong: Blue View is on view now at the AGO; it has recently been extended until May 15. Sign up for the AGOinsider for more of the latest art news from the AGO and beyond.