CHICAGO (Sept. 2, 2026) Intuit Art Museum (IAM), recognized worldwide as one of the few institutions dedicated solely to championing the work of self-taught artists, presents Karla Wong: Journeys of Being, a new solo exhibition of large-scale oil paintings by Chicago-based artist Karla Wong. A love letter to her Mexican culture, Wong’s work draws on the traditions, imagery and folklore of Oaxaca and on her life between homes in the United States and Mexico, weaving Oaxacan dress, landscapes and cultural symbolism, including Day of the Dead iconography, into vivid, dreamlike compositions. 

Karla Wong: Journeys of Being opens at Intuit Art Museum, John Jerit Center, 756 N. Milwaukee Avenue, in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. An opening reception, which coincides with Chicago Exhibition Week, is free and open to the public on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, from 5–8 p.m. and will feature a musical performance by Geo Meneses at 6 p.m. Karla Wong: Journeys of Being will remain on view through Jan. 10, 2027. 

​“Karla Wong’s paintings are encoded with references to her life experiences as a Mexican immigrant and as a trans woman,” said Christina Stavros, exhibition curator and Intuit’s associate curator. ​“We at Intuit are excited to bring this vibrant and important work to viewers in hopes they’ll experience reflection and connection.” 

Born in Veracruz, Mexico, in 1974, Wong graduated from the Benito Juárez de Oaxaca University of Law. A lifelong passion for drawing, paired with her legal training, led her to a decade-long career as a forensic and witness sketch artist for the general prosecution and justice department, creating facial reconstructions and composites. During this period, Wong developed a more serious art practice, connecting with artistic communities in both Chicago and Oaxaca before trading her pencils for oil paints. She eventually settled in the Chicago area and continues to travel between her native and adopted countries. 

Wong’s paintings draw heavily on Mexican folk traditions and trans culture. Her vivid, dreamlike compositions evoke Victorian and Surrealist traditions and are threaded with recurring portal and archway motifs leading to mysterious places, portraying both the beauty and the complexity of self-discovery. 

​“Intuit is dedicated to presenting familiar work as well as introducing our audiences to self-taught artists that may be new to them, so we are pleased to present art by Karla Wong, whose work we recently got to know,” said Debra Kerr, president and CEO. 

Related exhibition programming 

On Thursday, September 17, from 5–8 pm, Intuit Art Museum will host a free evening celebrating Karla Wong: Journeys of Being with the artist and the Intuit Art Museum community. Guests are invited to enjoy Mexican cocktails and bites, along with a live performance by world-renowned singer and friend of the artist, Geo Meneses. Following a toast to Wong, visitors can explore the exhibition and celebrate the artist and her work. 

Additional public programs will be announced in early October, including an artist talk, hands-on artmaking activity, and other opportunities for audiences to engage more deeply with the exhibition. Visit art.org/events for the latest program information. 

Media contacts: 

Lisa Lindvay, chief operating officer 

lisa@art.org 

312.624.9487 

or 

Debra Kerr, president and CEO 

deb@art.org 

312.504.7550