Ben Tong's Cool Palette Paintings at Night Gallery
Toronto-born artist Ben Tong, now based in Los Angeles, presents a solo exhibition at Night Gallery from September 19 to October 31. Tong, who earned his MFA from the California Institute of the Arts in 2012, began his career with video, installations, and photography before turning to painting. His works feature a cool palette of blues, purples, and greens punctuated by bursts of white, creating a powerful contrast. The exhibition includes pieces like 'Wind Scene,' with swirling oranges possibly inspired by the desert landscape near Joshua Tree National Park, where Tong owns a house. His semi-figurative paintings, such as '10:55pm' depicting flowers through a sheer-covered window, incorporate striations that evoke distorted memories or fuzzy television transmissions. Tong applies paint using brushes, rags, and even a Theragun, emphasizing an intuitive process over planning. The article originally appeared in Galerie Magazine's 2026 Fall Issue.
Key facts
- Ben Tong has a solo show at Night Gallery in Los Angeles from September 19 to October 31.
- Tong is a Toronto native who moved to Los Angeles to attend the California Institute of the Arts, earning an MFA in 2012.
- His paintings use a cool palette of blues, purples, and greens with bursts of white.
- 'Wind Scene' features swirling oranges possibly inspired by the desert near Joshua Tree National Park.
- Tong owns a house near Joshua Tree National Park.
- '10:55pm' depicts flowers viewed through a sheer-covered window.
- Tong applies paint with brushes, rags, and a Theragun.
- The article appeared in Galerie Magazine's 2026 Fall Issue in the 'Artists to Watch' section.
Entities
Artists
- Ben Tong
Institutions
- Night Gallery
- California Institute of the Arts
- Galerie Magazine
Locations
- Toronto
- Los Angeles
- Joshua Tree National Park