Benjamin Von Wong
Benjamin Von Wong
Artist, Activist, Photographer (1986-)
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"Why do I try so hard to be visible, to be branded, to be different when none of that actually makes me a “better photographer”? It is because it gives me a stronger voice that empowers me to make a positive impact in other peoples lives."
Benjamin Von Wong is a Canadian artist, activist, and photographer best known for his environmental art installations and hyper-realist art style. Wong graduated from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, with a degree in Mining Engineering. He left his engineering career in 2012 to pursue a career in the arts.
Von Wong is an advocate against ocean plastics and has created several viral social media campaigns. In 2017, he transformed a lifetime of electronic waste into art sculptures. The pieces were made from recovered electronics from Dell's (Computer Tech Company) Global Recycling program. In 2018, Von Wong built the world's tallest closet (standing 9 meters tall) in Cairo, Egypt, made from 3,000 articles of clothing-- representing one lifetime of clothing. After the installation was disassembled, Von Wong donated the clothing to Egyptian refugees.
Benjamin Von Wong is an artist to introduce to students because his work shines a light on many environmental and social issues in our world. Through his work, students will see his mission of "Mak[ing] a positive impact unforgettable," come to life. Students could make their own impactful sculptures by making statement pieces out of recyclable and waste materials collected as a class.
Everything you need to know about what we're doing to our environment, good and bad, from pollution and litter to renewable energy and plastic recycling.
Benjamin Von Wong is a Canadian artist, activist, and photographer best known for his environmental art installations and hyper-realist art style. Wong graduated from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, with a degree in Mining Engineering. He left his engineering career in 2012 to pursue a career in the arts.
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| "World's Tallest Closet" |
Von Wong is an advocate against ocean plastics and has created several viral social media campaigns. In 2017, he transformed a lifetime of electronic waste into art sculptures. The pieces were made from recovered electronics from Dell's (Computer Tech Company) Global Recycling program. In 2018, Von Wong built the world's tallest closet (standing 9 meters tall) in Cairo, Egypt, made from 3,000 articles of clothing-- representing one lifetime of clothing. After the installation was disassembled, Von Wong donated the clothing to Egyptian refugees.
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| "Strawpocalypse," 2019 |
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| "Paralyzed Mom Hangs Off Cliff For Mother's Day" |
Benjamin Von Wong is an artist to introduce to students because his work shines a light on many environmental and social issues in our world. Through his work, students will see his mission of "Mak[ing] a positive impact unforgettable," come to life. Students could make their own impactful sculptures by making statement pieces out of recyclable and waste materials collected as a class.
Suggested Reading
What a Waste by jess French