Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Chelsea Ryoko Wong is a painter and muralist known for vibrant, joyful celebrations of community, ritual, and seasonality. Inspired by Northern California and international travels, the scenes in Wong’s paintings are infused with fantasy, humor, and imagination. Translating her printmaking background to the realm of painting, Wong’s paintings are composed through a meticulous layering of form and figure.
Wong (b. 1986, Seattle, WA) attended Parsons School of Design, New York and received her BFA in printmaking from California College of the Arts. She is the first recipient of the Hamaguchi Emerging Artists Fellowship award at Kala Art Institute, Berkeley and was a 2022 finalist for SFMOMA’s esteemed SECA Art Award. She has participated in recent group exhibitions at the de Young, San Francisco; Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA; Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA; Chinese Cultural Center, San Francisco, CA; and Bolinas Museum, CA. She has completed large-scale mural projects in San Francisco at Asana; La Cocina; Facebook Artist in Residence Program; and the Asian Art Museum. She was awarded the Harker Fund Residency in 2024 and will present a solo exhibition at the Oakland Museum of California in February 2025. Her work has been acquired by institutional and private collections including the de Young, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA, and Bolinas Museum, CA. Wong lives and works in the Mission District of San Francisco.
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Chasing Dreams, 2024
Detail
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Chasing Dreams, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
48 x 48 x 1 3/8 inches / 121.9 x 121.9 x 3.5 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Life’s Full Circle, 2025
Acrylic on canvas
48 x 72 x 1 1/2 inches / 121.9 x 182.9 x 3.8 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Life’s Full Circle, 2025
Detail
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Bending Light, 2025
Acrylic on canvas
60 x 48 x 1 3/4 inches / 152.4 x 121.9 x 4.4 cm
Installation view
Ancestral Visions, 2025
Oakland Museum of California
Photo: Kamiko Fujii. Courtesy of OMCA.
Installation view
Ancestral Visions, 2025
Oakland Museum of California
Photo: Kamiko Fujii. Courtesy of OMCA.
Installation view
Ancestral Visions, 2025
Oakland Museum of California
Photo: Kamiko Fujii. Courtesy of OMCA.
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Peace For All, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 36 x 1 1/4 inches / 61 x 91.4 x 3.2 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Peace For All, 2024
Detail
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Out to Sea, 2025
Acrylic on canvas
60 x 48 inches / 152.4 x 121.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
In Tandem, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
48 x 72 inches / 121.9 x 182.9 cm
ADDITIONAL WORKS
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
An Ode to Summer, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
48 x 48 x 1 1/2 inches / 121.9 x 121.9 x 3.8 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Slowing Down Time, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
72 x 60 inches / 182.9 x 152.4 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Nobody Gets Out of Here Alive, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
60 x 60 inches / 152.4 x 152.4 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
A Work That Outlives Me, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
60 x 48 inches / 152.4 x 121.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Powder Crunch, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
48 x 72 inches / 121.9 x 182.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Being Present, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
72 x 60 inches / 182.9 x 152.4 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Modest Flirtations, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
48 x 72 inches / 121.9 x 182.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Near Paradise, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
39 x 39 inches / 99.1 x 99.1 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
A Sweet Sanctuary, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
48 x 48 inches / 121.9 x 121.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Keeping Chaos at Bay, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
60 x 48 inches / 152.4 x 121.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
The Spectacle of Love, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
48 x 48 inches / 121.9 x 121.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Float Your Worries Away, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
14 x 11 x 1 1/2 inches / 35.6 x 27.9 x 3.8 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
What is Our Purpose on Earth?, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
30 x 30 inches / 76.2 x 76.2 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Our One Summer Day, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
14 x 11 x 1 1/2 inches / 35.6 x 27.9 x 3.8 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Free Yourself Now, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
14 x 11 x 1 1/2 inches / 35.6 x 27.9 x 3.8 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Contemplating Life, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
14 x 11 x 1 1/2 inches / 35.6 x 27.9 x 3.8 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Jumbo Floating Restaurant, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
60 x 48 inches / 152.4 x 121.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Warming Up to Ward Off Evil at the Dragon Boat Festival, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
48 x 48 inches / 121.9 x 121.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Dad and the Last Tiger at Stanley, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
60 x 48 inches / 152.4 x 121.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Above, What You Cant See in the Sky in the Privacy of Home, We Have Company, Entertaining Distinguished Guests, 2023
Acrylic on canvas
72 x 60 inches / 182.9 x 152.4 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Street Level, Waiting for Anything at the Wonton Noodle House, 2023
Acrylic on canvas
72 x 60 inches / 182.9 x 152.4 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Snow Melt, Secret Swim Hole at the Campground, Discovered, 2023
Acrylic on canvas
72 x 60 inches / 182.9 x 152.4 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Fresh Spring Melt, 2023
Watercolor and gouache on paper
Frame: 13 x 10 x 1 1/2 inches / 33 x 25.4 x 3.8 cm
Paper size: 12 x 9 inches / 30.5 x 22.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Magical Evening with Friends, 2023
Watercolor and gouache on paper
Frame: 13 x 10 x 1 1/2 inches / 33 x 25.4 x 3.8 cm
Paper size: 12 x 9 inches / 30.5 x 22.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
In the Cabin Up North, 2023
Watercolor and gouache on paper
Frame: 13 x 10 x 1 1/2 inches / 33 x 25.4 x 3.8 cm
Paper size: 12 x 9 inches / 30.5 x 22.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Last Run of the Day, 2023
Acrylic on canvas
30 x 30 inches / 76.2 x 76.2 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Cold Beverage on a Hot Day, 2022
Acrylic on stretched canvas
48 x 72 inches / 121.9 x 182.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
It’s Mah Jong Time!, 2022
Acrylic on stretched canvas
48 x 48 inches / 121.9 x 121.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Dream of Visiting Auntie, 2022
Acrylic on stretched canvas
60 x 48 inches / 152.4 x 121.9 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Joshua Tree With Friends, Split Rock Sunset, 2021
Watercolor on paper
Framed: 18 x 14 1/2 x 1 1/4 inches
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
A Loving Community, 2022
Acrylic on stretched canvas
60 x 48 x 1 3/8 inches / 152.4 x 121.9 x 3.5 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Bathing Beauties, 2022
Acrylic on stretched canvas
60 x 60 x 1 3/8 inches / 152.4 x 152.4 x 3.5 cm
Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Moon Rise Over Joshua Tree, 2022
Acrylic on stretched canvas
60 x 48 inches / 152.4 x 121.9 cm
Installation view
Mural, 2021
La Cocina, San Francisco, CA
Photo: Erin Ng
Installation view
Mural, 2021
La Cocina, San Francisco, CA
Photo: Erin Ng
Installation view
Mural, 2021
La Cocina, San Francisco, CA
Photo: Erin Ng
Installation view
Mural, 2021
Little Jane Bakery, San Francisco, CA
Photo: Jason Henry
Installation view
Facebook AIR Program Mural, 2019
Facebook, San Francisco, CA
Photo: Anthony Roberts
Installation view
Facebook AIR Program Mural, 2019
Facebook, San Francisco, CA
Photo: Anthony Roberts
PRESS
Must-See S.F. Art Exhibit of 2025 Looks at Two of France’s Most Important Painters
With Culture Forward, the Svane Family Foundation Nurtures the Arts — and Downtown San Francisco
Bay Area artists take center stage in de Young exhibit.
VIDEOS
Ancestral Visions: An Installation by Chelsea Ryoko Wong at OMCA
Chelsea Ryoko Wong: "Nostalgia for the Present Tense"
Bay Area Now 9: Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Alum Spotlight: Chelsea Ryoko Wong | CCA BFA Printmedia
Ancestral Visions: An Installation by Chelsea Ryoko Wong at OMCA
Chelsea Ryoko Wong: "Nostalgia for the Present Tense"
Bay Area Now 9: Chelsea Ryoko Wong
Alum Spotlight: Chelsea Ryoko Wong | CCA BFA Printmedia
CV
Born 1986 in Seattle, WA
BFA Printmaking, California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA, 2010
Integrated Design Curriculum, Parsons School of Design, New York, NY, 2004
Lives and works in San Francisco, CA
Solo and Two Person Exhibitions
2025
Ancestral Visions, Oakland Museum of California [forthcoming]
2024
Nostalgia for the Present Tense, Jessica Silverman, San Francisco, CA
2022
Gravitational Pull, Jessica Silverman, San Francisco, CA
Manta [with Lilah Rose], New Image Art, Los Angeles, CA
2021
Poetry Afterall, Pt. 2 Gallery, Oakland, CA
The Sun’s Energy, Hashimoto Contemporary, New York, NY
2020
Channeling, New Image Art, Los Angeles, CA
The Pleasure of Joy, Legion SF, San Francisco, CA
2019
Maximalist in Motion, Zinc Contemporary, Seattle, WA
Modern Gal, Legion SF, San Francisco, CA
2018
Inspired, Legion SF, San Francisco, CA
2017
Sign of the Times [with Melissa Sims], Zinc Contemporary, Seattle, WA
2016
The Fish Jumped Laughing into a Net, Zinc Contemporary, Seattle, WA
Verse Verse Chorus [with Tim Cohen], Adobe Books, San Francisco, CA
For the Roses, Long Weekend, Oakland, CA
2015
Hello at Last [with Mia Christopher], Legion SF, San Francisco, CA
Am I in a Trance, Stranger?, Zinc Art + Interiors, Edmonds, WA
2012
Everything Is Not Mundane, Kearny Street Workshop, San Francisco, CA
2011
Office Space, Mauve?, Berkeley, CA
2010
Scenes Throughout History, Irwin Student Center at California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA
Group exhibitions
2024
About Place, de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA
Together To Gather, Hammons Weinstein Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
In Feast or Famine, Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto, CA
2023
Kids Without the Internet, Massey Klein Gallery, New York, NY
BAN9, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA
High Voltage 4, Nassima Landau, Tel Aviv, Israel
Old Friends/New Friends, Creativity Explored, San Francisco, CA
A Growing Season, Jessica Silverman, San Francisco, CA
Femmenology, Jessica Silverman, San Francisco, CA
2022
Landscape, Taymour Grahne, London, UK
Wonder Women, Jeffrey Deitch, Los Angeles, CA
Pacific Rise, Bolinas Museum, CA
Jessica Silverman Presents, TOA Presents, Minneapolis, MN
Wonder Women, Jeffrey Deitch, New York, NY
2021
WOMEN 我們: From Her to Here, Chinese Cultural Center, San Francisco, CA
Now Now, Breach Gallery, Miami, FL
Calfiornisme, Bim Bam Gallery, Paris, France
Something to Look Forward to, Legion Projects, Healdsburg, CA
2020
Community, Glass Rice, San Francisco, CA
Multiples, Hashimoto Contemporary, New York, NY
Somebody, Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
2019
Picnic, Hashimoto Contemporary, San Francisco, CA
Dialogues, Modern Eden, San Francisco, CA
HIT Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2018
Fresh Waves, Swim Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2017
Free Trade, Chinese Cultural Center, San Francisco, CA
Bicycle, Back to the Picture, San Francisco, CA
Social Energies, Legion, San Francisco, CA
Unusual Business, Gravel and Gold, San Francisco, CA
2016
Within, MOR Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Intersections, Space 236, San Francisco, CA
Welcome to the Left Coast, The Luggage Store, San Francisco, CA
Not a Lemon, Scott Ellsworth Gallery, San Francisco, CA
SF Survivors, RVCA Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2015
CUT, Dreamers and Make Believers Salon, San Francisco, CA
#Strikeawayshow, Paxton Gate Curiosities, San Francisco, CA
Unseen, Unknown, Hound and Quail Gallery, Honolulu, HI
2014
Smile, NWVSF Gallery, San Francisco, CA
#Summer, Rare Device Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Something Completely Different, City Limits Gallery, Oakland, CA
Psychedelic Research, The Box Jelly, Honolulu, HI
Deciphering the Print, California College of Arts, Oakland, CA
2013
Sweetest Hangover, Moksha, Seattle, WA
2012
Mission Graffica Annual Exhibition, Mission Cultural Center, San Francisco, CA
Stretch & Expose, SFAC, City Hall, San Francisco, CA
The Thin Line: Art & Design &. Everything in Between, 687 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI
The LINK Gallery Show, Design Commission Gallery, Seattle, WA
Out to Lunch, Wire + Nail Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2011
In Brief: A Private Study, Adobe Books, San Francisco, CA
The Family Show, GOOD PRESS Gallery, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
MUSEUMS PRESS Anthology Show, Islington Mill, Salford, UK
Starline Social Club Benefit, Oakland, CA
Impressions, Studio Quercus, Oakland, CA
2010
Awakening the Worlds of Objects and Nature, Ruth’s Table, San Francisco, CA
We Haven’t Felt This Way in Years II, Gallery Heist, San Francisco, CA
Stomach Pump, Islington Mill, Salford, UK
Tree Show VI, Giant Robot, San Francisco, CA
Between Us, Internos Wine Cafe, San Francisco, CA
Baccalaureate Exhibition, California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA
Littlest Things, Giant Robot, New York, NY
The Survival Annex, Curiosity Shop, San Francisco, CA
PAL Poor Artist League, Big Umbrella Studios, San Francisco, CA
Paper+Cloth Dream, Oliver Art Center at California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA and Osaka University of Art, Osaka, Japan
2009
Printed Matter 6, Giant Robot, Los Angeles, CA
Printed Matter 5, Giant Robot, New York, NY
PAL Poor Artist League, Big Umbrella Studios, San Francisco, CA
Art Read, Oliver Art Center at California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA
CCA Library Book Art Competition, Meyer Library at California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA
Tree Show V, Giant Robot, San Francisco, CA
2008
Printed Matter 4, Giant Robot, San Francisco, CA
Lectures
2021
Artist Talk, Art Center, Pasadena, CA
2020
Artist Talk, People I’ve Loved x Juxaptoz Magazine x Chandran Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Add Oil, Chinatown, Chinese Cultural Center x 100 Days Action, San Francisco, CA
Panel Discussion, Representation, Facebook’s Analog Research Lab, San Francisco, CA
Artist Talk, Poster Power Happy Hour, Facebook’s Analog Research Lab, San Francisco, CA
Artist Talk, Berkeley City Community College, Berkeley, CA
Artist Talk, University of San Francisco, CA
2018
Talk, A Journey Back Home, Peel Art Gallery, Museum & Archives, Brampton, ON
2017
Talk, Art Against the Grain with Rupy Tut, Impact Hub, Birmingham, UK
Workshop and Artist Talk, Peel Art Gallery, Museum & Archives, Brampton, ON
Demo and Talk, Saints and Kings: Arts, Culture, and Legacy of the Sikhs, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, CA
2016
Demo and Talk, Language of Colors: A Discussion of Guru Nanak’s Janamsakhi Life Stories, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, CA
Selected Commissions
2024
Community Feast, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, CA [forthcoming]
2021
Mural, Asana, San Francisco, CA
Mural, Jane Bakery, San Francisco, CA
Mural, La Cocina Municipal Marketplace, San Francisco, CA
2019
Mural, Mission High School, San Francisco, CA
2018
Mural, AIGA Link Art Program, Seattle, WA
Batik Apartments for Vulcan, Seattle, WA
Mural, Yetunde Price Resource Center for OATH, Compton, CA
2017
Album artwork for Josh Kun’s “Hit Parade” LP, commissioned by Public Knowledge, SFMOMA
Residencies
2024
The Harker Fund Residency Program, Oakland, CA
2019
Facebook AIR Program, San Francisco, CA
2010
Hamaguchi Emerging Artist Residency, Kala Printmaking Studio, Berkeley, CA
Selected Press
2024
Bravo, Tony. “Must-see S.F. art exhibit of 2025 looks at two of France’s most important painters.” San Francisco Chronicle Datebook. December 26, 2024.
Wilson, Emily. “With Culture Forward, the Svane Family Foundation Nurtures the Arts – and Downtown San Francisco.” Nob Hill Gazette. December 20, 2024.
Blue, Max. “Bay Area artists take center stage in de Young exhibit.” San Francisco Examiner. August 27, 2024.
Heath, Shaquille. “Nostalgia for the Present Tense: An Interview with Chelsea Ryoko Wong.” Juxtapoz. August 8, 2024.
Gamboa, Carlota. “Chelsea Ryoko Wong’s Ode to Mindfulness at Jessica Silverman.” Art&Object. August 7, 2024.
Waddoups, Ryan. “Chelsea Ryoko Wong Finds Solace in Unknown Places.” Surface. August 7, 2024
Laster, Paul. “8 Must-See Solo Gallery Shows in August.” Galerie. August 2, 2024.
Bravo, Tony. “Nostalgia for the Present Tense at Jessica Silverman.” San Francisco Chronicle Datebook. July 26, 2024.
“Sense of belonging: Contemporary Bay Area artists showcased at de Young.” Mountain Democrat. July 26, 2024.
Wilson, Emily. “At de Young, local artists eye ‘The Peaceable Kingdom’–and US colonialism.” 48hills. June 25, 2024.
Binlot, Ann. “Highlights from Art Basel Hong Kong 2024.” Family Style. March 28, 2024.
2022
Wilson, Emily. “San Francisco Museums Acquire Works by 30 Bay Area Artists.” Hyperallergic. July 20, 2022
Hotchkiss, Sarah. “de Young Museum Acquires 42 New Works by Bay Area Artists.” KQED. July 11, 2022
Binlot, Ann. “Tired of being ‘fetishized and invisible,’ Asian artists are changing the narrative.” CNN Style. May 23, 2022
Piejko, Jennifer. “Audiences Can’t Get Enough of California Artist Chelsea Ryoko Wong’s Paintings of Simple, Everyday Joys.” artnet. May 9, 2022.
2020
Whiting, Sam. “Son’s embrace of health care workers inspires mom’s poster honoring them.” San Francisco Chronicle Datebook. August 7, 2020.
Gonzalez, Matt. “Painter of Optimism.” Juxtapoz Magazine. June 22, 2020.
Smith, Tasmin. “The Pleaure of Joy.” Juxtapoz Magazine. June 22, 2020.
2019
Kanagas, Matthew. “Chelsea Wong.” Visual Arts Source. April 6, 2019.
Selected Collections
Bolinas Museum, CA
Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA
de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA