WESLEY TONGSON (1957-2012)

Spiritual Mountains is a mesmerising example of Wesley Tongson’s finger painting. He found consolation and joy in the pure act of painting after he was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 15. Fervently devoted to art throughout his life, he created paintings overflowing with energy which reflected his mind. He studied Chinese painting with artist Gu Qingyao when he moved to Canada in 1977. After returning to Hong Kong in 1981, inspired by Liu Kuo-sung who was then teaching at the Chinese University, Tongson began exploring experimental techniques to paint instead of the brush. Working with fingers and nails, he creates powerful and deeply spiritual images such as Spiritual Mountains.