Erwin Ong is a self-taught multi-disciplinary artist based in White Plains, New York. Inspired by a childhood scuba diving experience in his native Philippines, where the vibrant colors of fish and coral left an indelible mark in his memory, Erwin creates playful and quirky creatures using heavy outlines and bold colors. His work draws upon animals, plants, and all things aquatic, aiming to bring joy and a sense of wonder to his audience.
Erwin’s art is characterized by bold, crisp lines reminiscent of Keith Haring and Timothy Goodman. He is fascinated by the lines, shapes, and patterns found in nature–such as scales, feathers, and stripes–and finds the repetitive motion of pen strokes to be a meditative practice. His illustrations often feature happy, humorous, and slightly menacing creatures with jagged teeth, inviting viewers to rediscover the simple joy of drawing to embrace playfulness and experimentation.
In 2020, Erwin established A Duck Amuck Art Studio & Gift Shop to create stationery, prints, stickers, and other giftable items that can help foster connections whether through writing notes, sharing experiences with friends and family, or brightening spaces with his cheerful art.
Erwin’s work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions, including solo shows like “Dreaming of El Nido” (Harrison Public Library; Tappan Free Library), and “School of Fish” (Curio Room in Mt. Kisco). He has also been part of group shows like the Grumpy Bert Red Envelope Show, in New York City and Los Angeles. His mural “Fish City” was featured at the Serious Fun Arts Festival in White Plains in 2022.
He is an artist member of ArtsWestchester and the Arts Council of Rockland. He is also listed in the Filipino-American Artist Directory.
Erwin continues to explore new mediums and substrates and experiment with different ways to bring his imaginative underwater worlds to life. His goal remains the same: to make people smile and lift their spirit through his art.
You can see more of Erwin's work on his website, www.aduckamuck.com, or on Instsgram at duckamuck.
Erwin is self-taught.