Wong's intellectual and academic background began in the field of literature rather than fine art, which serves as an explanation for his continuous fascination for scholarship and rhetoric shown in his works.

Underlying Wongs's playfulness is a serious inquiry into Asian and world history, society and politics as seen through the lens of Malaysia's colonial and post-colonial experience. His has sought to disturb our sense of security, reminding us of the slipperiness that lies between fact and fiction, past and present, and the perpetual reinvention of our own histories.

Wong is an artist unrestricted by style or medium, his diverse education background led to his inter-disciplinary works, involving areas such as drawing, installation, photography, theater/performance and video; and has explored the interrelationship of history, politics, culture and ethnicity.

WONG was awarded by The Rockefeller Foundation with the Bellagio Creative Arts Fellows in 2011. In 2000, Newsweek (International) named him as one of the 10 trailblazers of Asia under the title "Mavericks & Rebels". In 1999, Asiaweek named him as one of the10 art and culture "Leaders of the Next Millennium". Deutsche Bank Headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany collects his work and has a floor named after him. Cornell University even has a scholarship - "H. C. Wong Scholarship" – named after him for his work as "Outstanding Educator."

Text courtesy Eslite Gallery.