We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Holly Wong a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Holly, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

In many ways, I started my creative career very early and also very late. I was a creative child and I did earn both a BFA and MFA degree in fine art. However, I went right into a traditional day job afterwards, fearing that I could. not provide for my family without traditional employment. Fast forward 25 years, I will be retiring soon at the age of 53 and I am looking forward to many rich years focused 100% on my studio practice. While I always made art along the way, it wasn’t until my mid 40’s that I developed a mature artistic voice. I am not sure that I wished I started sooner. It is more about accepting where I arrived and honoring my choices.

Holly, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am originally from North Miami Beach FLA. I create fiber and drawing-based installations and assemblages that explore grief, mourning and resilience. I was educated at the San Francisco Art Institute where I graduated with a Master of Fine Arts with a concentration in New Genres. I have participated in over 80 exhibitions including group shows at the de Young Museum, the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, Ogden Contemporary Arts, and Maui Arts & Cultural Center. A Presidential Scholar in the Arts, I have received grants from the California Arts Council (Established Artist category), the Puffin Foundation, the George Sugarman Foundation, and the Barbara Deming Memorial Fund.

I always have had a love of artmaking going back to my childhood. Now in the mature phase of my work, I hope that my work can bring solace and deeper connection for viewers who see my work. I am very proud of my exhibition history and my recent California Arts Council grant. As a long time Californian resident, it has felt rewarding to be recognized in this way. I want to be seen as an artist who gives back and is grounded in the community.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Like many people, I have always been concerned about my financial security which is often in conflict with being a creative person. After earning my MFA at age 26, I went on to earn an MBA in finance with Honors at age 39 while working full time and maintaining a studio practice. Though my art making did not thrive during this period, it allowed me to build my financial future and to save for retirement. I also learned radical time management, getting up at 2am before work for over a decade in order to be in the studio. I wanted to earn a decent living and also be an artist and it took a lot of stamina to get there. Looking back, the positions are now swapped and my identity is first as an artist. I am coming out for this second and final act and the art is now flourishing. Never believe that you can only have one career.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A major lesson I had to learn (and keep learning) is not to compare myself to other artists whose lives do not look like mine. It’s important to stay in your own lane and thrive in the best way you can with what you have. I spent many years judging myself. It was actually really counterproductive. Embracing your choices is another way of embracing your freedom and self determination. As I let go of the shame, the work thrived tenfold.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hollywongart.com/
• Instagram: @hollywongart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hollywongart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-wong-0b95651b9/
• Youtube: @hollywong4649

Image Credits
John Janca, Christian Farrington, Wes Magyar, and Doug DeBoer