Ming Ong is an artist and designer, based in Los Angeles, California. Her artwork reflects her international upbringing and inclusive worldview.

At first, Ming's paintings seem to be just sweet, innocent illustrations of children and animals, hearkening back to classic children's books. Upon closer examination, they reveal a darker, more dangerous side. 

Viewers are tempted to laugh at these humorous juxtapositions. Then they're challenged to discern their deeper, hidden meaning. Indeed, beyond the bright colors, illustrated style, and nostalgic feel are thoughtful, incisive comments about society and culture. 

Ming's artwork is inspired by her rich childhood memories of Southeast Asia and insular experience as a Chinese immigrant growing up in Canada. Recurring themes in Ming's work include loss of innocence, emotional detachment, moral confusion, and cultural disconnect.

Her influences include mid-century American advertising, 80's American cartoons, Chinese propaganda art, Japanese pop culture, and vintage children’s book illustrations, as well as artists Johannes Vermeer, Francisco Goya, Edouard Manet, Francis Bacon, and Jessie Wilcox Smith.

Ming is a graduate of the Art Center College of Design, majoring in illustration.  She has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows across California, and her illustrations have been published in the New York Times, American Illustration 29, Village Voice, LA Weekly, The Stranger, Bitch Magazine, and many others.

EDUCATION

BFA with Distinction, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2016 “Heroworship” Group Show, Stone Malone Gallery, LA, CA
2016 "Opening a Dialogue - Guns for Art" Group Show, Stone Malone Gallery, LA, CA
2016 “Cute Every Day” Group Show/ Pop-Up / Live Art, Leanna Lin’s Wonderland, LA, CA
2016 “Year of the Monkey” Group Show, Giant Robot, LA, CA
2015 “Holiday Pop-Up”, La Luz de Jesus Gallery, LA, CA
2015 “Wonderland Art for Animals” Group Show, Leanna Lin’s Wonderland, LA, CA
2014 “Text and Pictures” Group Show, Giant Robot, LA, CA
2013 “Glitz and Pixie Stix” Group Show, Leanna Lin’s Wonderland, LA, CA
2012 “Good Versus Evil” Group Show, WonderGround Gallery at Downtown Disney, Anaheim, CA
2012 “Artworks for the Cure” Group Show, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, CA
2012 “Ming Ong Mini Art Pop-Up”, Leanna Lin’s Wonderland, LA, CA
2012 “Year of the Dragon” Group Show, Giant Robot, LA, CA
2011 “Forest Friends” Group Show, Leanna Lin’s Wonderland, LA, CA
2011 “Year of the Rabbit” Group Show, Giant Robot, LA, CA
2011 “Baker’s Dozen” Group Show, Gallery Nucleus, Alhambra, CA
2011 “Forget Me Not” with Ming Ong and Sean Chao, Giant Robot, SF, CA
2010 “The Mini Show” Group Show, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA
2010 “Printed Matter” Group Show, Giant Robot, SF, CA
2010 “Art Mere Art Pere” Group Show, Smashbox Studios, LA, CA
2009 “Group Show 1,” Garage Gallery, LA, CA
2009 “The Art of the Disney Princess” Group Show, Zune LA, LA, CA
2008 “Ming Ong,” Sage Gallery, LA, CA