Wong Perng Fey (b. 1974, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the relationship between permanence, change, and memory through the medium of painting. His artistic practice is deeply influenced by the subtle, often overlooked traces left behind by human presence in living spaces—whether it be graffiti, scratches on walls, or the remnants of rooms exposed during urban demolition. These fragments, which he first encounters when arriving in a new city, evoke a sense of nostalgia and belonging, inspiring Perng Fey to capture the emotions and histories embedded in these spaces.
Perng Fey’s paintings reflect a continual investigation into the mental landscape of specific environments and the deep memories associated with them. His works are both personal and universal, as they engage with the layers of emotion, identity, and time that shape one’s relationship to a place. This exploration is heightened by his use of materiality, where the physical layers of paint mirror the complex emotional layers of his experiences.
During his time in Beijing (2010–2019), Perng Fey found new freedom in expression, amplifying the tension in his work through the careful application of paint, creating surfaces that evoke strength, vulnerability, and a sense of emotional coherence. His canvases have become a visual tapestry, capturing the intangible feelings and experiences of daily life.
Wong Perng Fey received a full scholarship to study at the Malaysia Institute of Art in 1996 and was an Artist-in-Residence at Rimbun Dahan, Kuang, Malaysia, in 2001. He has exhibited widely and his works are part of important collections, including those of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, Singapore Art Museum (SAM), National Art Gallery (Kuala Lumpur), Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery, and Galeri Petronas. Currently based in Graz, Austria, Perng Fey continues to develop his practice, reflecting on the intersections of memory, space, and emotional expression through his powerful visual language.