Benjamin Von Wong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamin Von Wong
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At a WEF meeting in June 2024
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| Born | November 14, 1986 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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| Education | McGill University |
| Occupation | Artist |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Known for | Cinematography, photography, film, installation art |
Benjamin Von Wong (Chinese: 黄志铭; pinyin: Huáng Zhì Míng, born November 14, 1986) is a Canadian artist, activist, and photographer. He is famous for his amazing environmental art projects and his super realistic art style. Benjamin is a speaker who inspires people around the world. He works hard to fight against plastic pollution in our oceans. He also created many popular online campaigns, including a record-breaking fundraiser for a girl named Eliza O'Neill.
Since 2017, Von Wong (Chinese: 烽煌; pinyin: Fēng Huáng) has focused on building a community around his art. His projects often use plastic waste and highlight environmental issues. He wants his stories to make people take action, not just watch and be entertained by his stunning work.
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Early Life and Career Start
Benjamin Von Wong was born in Toronto, Canada, on November 15, 1986. His parents, Sing Wong and Jeanette Kho, came to Canada from Malaysia. In 2007, Benjamin finished his studies at McGill University. He earned a degree in Mining Engineering.
Benjamin first worked as an engineer, planning and designing underground mines. But in 2012, he decided to follow his passion for art. He left engineering to become a full-time artist.
Early Art Projects
In 2013, Benjamin worked with Nikon and musician Andrew Kesler. They made the Nikon Symphony, a free ringtone using sounds from expensive camera gear.
In 2014, Benjamin was featured by Flickr for his underwater photos. These amazing pictures were taken near a shipwreck in Bali, Indonesia.
In 2015, cell phone company Huawei hired Von Wong. He showed how good their P8 phone camera was. He combined art with fireworks to create a picture of a model surrounded by fire. He did this without using Photoshop.
Environmental Art and Activism
Benjamin Von Wong is well-known for turning waste into powerful art. His projects often raise awareness about pollution and other environmental problems.
Turning Waste into Art
In 2017, Von Wong created art sculptures from old electronics. These pieces were made from electronic waste collected by Dell's recycling program. He also hung social entrepreneurs from a tall building in the Philippines. This was a challenge from Nike to promote their new shoes.
In 2018, Benjamin built the world's tallest closet in Cairo, Egypt. It was made from 3,000 pieces of clothing. This amount represents all the clothes one person might own in their lifetime. The closet stood nine meters (about 30 feet) tall. After the art project, Von Wong gave the clothes to refugees in Egypt.
He also worked with Greenpeace in Corfu, Greece. They created art with an aerialist (someone who performs in the air). This project showed that "Every 60 seconds, a truckload of plastic flows into the ocean."
Record-Breaking Installations
In 2019, Von Wong earned a Guinness World Record. He created "Strawpocalypse," the largest art project made from plastic drinking straws. He used old straws to show the harm plastics do to our oceans.
He also worked with the National Environment Agency and the Canadian High Commission in Singapore. Together, they made "Plastikophobia." This art piece used 18,000 plastic cups. It was part of an art show at the Sustainable Singapore Galleries.
The Giant Plastic Tap
In 2021, Von Wong started the #TurnOffThePlasticTap project. This project, also called #GiantPlasticTap, showed how much plastic is dumped into our oceans. It helped bring attention to the issue at the Cop26 meeting.
In March 2022, he was asked to rebuild the giant tap in Kenya. This was for the United Nations Environmental Assembly. At this meeting, countries decided to work on a global agreement to control plastics. Benjamin also gave a TEDx talk. He spoke about how his fear of being unimportant helps him create new ideas. He talked about how to get people's attention for climate issues today.
In March 2023, he made a huge 11-foot tall skull from electronic waste. It was called "The Skull of Satoshi." He created it with Greenpeace. This art project highlighted the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining.
Helping Others
Benjamin Von Wong has also used his skills to help people in need.
Saving Eliza O'Neill
In July 2013, a 4-year-old girl named Eliza O'Neill was diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A. This is a serious genetic disease. Researchers had a possible treatment, but they needed $2 million for tests.
Von Wong and D.L. Cade made a video with the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation. The video showed Eliza's story and the challenges faced by children with Sanfilippo syndrome. This video was part of the GoFundMe "Saving Eliza" campaign. It became the most funded GoFundMe campaign ever, raising over $2 million.
Protecting Sharks
In 2015, Von Wong started an online campaign. He asked a Malaysian official to create a shark sanctuary in Malaysia. His campaign featured amazing photos of free-diver Amber Bourke. She was tied underwater while sharks swam around her. These photos were taken in Fiji. The campaign gathered over 80,000 signatures.
Recognition
- 2015: Saving Eliza: The Video that Could Save a Little Girl s Life... and Thousands More - Shorty Awards Best Use of Video (Nominated)
- 2015: Power of Photography AP Awards 2015 Winner
- 2018: Top 11 Branded Content Masterminds Who are Elevating the Art of Marketing by Ad Week
- 2019: Guinness World Record for "Strawpocalypse," the largest supported art installation made from plastic drinking straws.
Images for kids
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Giant Plastic Tap, Ottawa, Canada
