It has been said that heroes are those that have fought for freedom in the past, the present, and most importantly, the future. There was the question of deciding who among the many in the Bay Area exemplifies this idea, but I instead chose to look at the important questions of what role art has in causing continuous social change and how art is involved in transforming young people.

The heroic qualities that Christine Wong embodies include the consistency and dedication of many young grassroots organizers as well as artists who use their talents to work with youth – many of whom emerged after the "No Proposition 21" campaign. Christine was able to answer my questions about the role of art and youth in social change with the compassion and integrity that accompanies her art.

Christine Wong, 25, is a Chinese American artist, illustrator and designer. Her work – including mixed media paintings, woodcut prints and murals – have been exhibited locally and nationally.

Born in Santa Rosa, CA, Christine became involved with community arts as a zinester (grassroots publisher) in high school and later as an apprentice to an internationally recognized muralist. In the past five years, she has lead 20 mural projects around the country.

Additionally, Christine specializes in print communications for non-profit organizations. Over the past several years, she has contributed illustration and design to the National Performance Network, the National Organizers’ Alliance and the Hesperian Foundation as well as several books and magazines.

"Generations"

Christine holds a BFA with High Distinction from the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, CA. She has been recognized with a San Francisco Bay Guardian Local Hero Award, an Active Element grant for art activism and recently, the Women of Color Resource Center's Sister of Fire Award for her "exemplary leadership... in the arts." This year, Christine’s “proven, demonstrated ability to work with youth” has garnered her a position as an Online Mentor for the California Arts Council.

You can see Christine's work in galleries, on public walls, on posters, on street lamps and in magazines.

Currently she is the Art Director and Associate Editor of YO! Youth Outlook! Magazine, an award-winning monthly journal. YO! was recently featured as one of seven innovative worldwide youth media projects in “What Works,” a publication by the International Youth Foundation.

More information about Christine Wong and samples of her artwork can be found at her web site: http://www.christinewong.org

Youth Outlook Illustration