Carlos Velázquez on November 12, 2024
Andrew Wang’s artistic journey is as intricate and layered as the origami pieces he meticulously crafts. The Migration Auction, hosted by Peggy, showcases Wang’s signature works—panels of origami assemblages that tell stories of migration, perseverance, and personal transformation. This collection doesn’t just represent art; it’s a vivid tapestry of history, sacrifice, and flight, woven from thousands of carefully folded paper birds.
A Journey from Engineering to Artistry
Andrew Wang’s path to becoming an artist is a compelling narrative of reinvention and homage. For over a decade, he worked as an engineer for a materials company, leaning into the practical and technical aspects of his education, which included a Master’s from MIT in Advanced Manufacturing. However, in 2017, driven by a desire to be more present for his young children and to pursue his lifelong passion, Wang left his business career to embrace the world of art full-time. His transition embodies a fusion of his technical expertise with his deep-rooted love for creativity, influenced by the Renaissance era when the lines between art and engineering blurred seamlessly.
The Symbolism of Flight
Flight has always been a motif that captivates Wang’s imagination. As a teenager, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, eventually earning both glider and power pilot licenses. This passion for flight finds its echo in his art, where birds in motion are a recurring theme. Whether soaring, diving, or banking, each origami bird represents not only movement but the boundless aspirations and challenges that come with migration—mirroring the journeys taken by Wang’s own parents when they immigrated to North America.
The Labour of Love
Viewers often marvel at the sheer effort required to create Wang’s intricate panels, filled with individually folded origami birds. Despite his background in advanced manufacturing, where he studied methods to automate production, Wang chooses the deliberate, labor-intensive process of folding each piece by hand. This choice is deeply personal, reflecting the lessons instilled by his father, who, despite being an engineer in Taiwan, worked as a labourer in Toronto to support his family. “Sometimes,” Wang reflects, “it just takes one shovel full at a time to move that mountain.” The thousands of folds in his work pay homage to this philosophy—one that speaks of resilience, dedication, and the beauty of gradual progress.
The Migration Series
The Migration Auction is inspired by the journeys of Wang’s parents and the broader stories of migration and aspiration. Each piece in the collection is a testament to diversity, the pursuit of dreams, and the richness that comes from overcoming adversity. Wang’s assemblages are more than artistic compositions; they are visual stories that invite viewers to reflect on their own personal journeys and the universal human experience of seeking a better life.
A Blend of Art, Math, and Science
Even in his new artistic chapter, Wang incorporates the precision of engineering and the elegance of math into his creations. The strategic layering and arrangement of origami reflect his analytical mind, while the vibrant colors and dynamic compositions reveal his artistic spirit. This synthesis of disciplines makes his work stand out, merging the worlds of science and art in a harmonious dance.
An Invitation to Discover
Now showcased on Peggy, Andrew Wang’s Migration Auction offers art enthusiasts a chance to own pieces that are rich in symbolism and story. With each work, Wang shares not only the legacy of his family’s migration but also his personal journey from engineer to thriving artist.
Step into Wang’s world, where every fold and every panel is a tribute to dreams pursued and challenges overcome. Discover the Migration Auction on Peggy and find art that inspires, moves, and tells stories that soar beyond boundaries.
For press inquiries, please contact art@peggy.com
