Princeton University Library celebrates the 100th Anniversary of The Great Gatsby!
Do you remember the first time you read The Great Gatsby? What about the first time you saw the iconic blue cover with its two sad eyes peering out from a midnight sky? It’s hard to believe that when F. Scott Fitzgerald published his now famous work in 1925, it was not an immediate bestseller. It wasn’t until World War II — after Fitzgerald’s death — that the book found success, soaring into the public consciousness and taking its place among the “great American novels.”
Allison Wong is an NJ-based artist who uses both traditional and digital mediums. She graduated from NJIT in 2022 with a degree in Digital Design and since, has taken more figure drawing classes and painting workshops to continuously learn. Allison currently works for multiple art agencies in New York City, where she creates live portrait drawings of guests at various events. In addition to drawing, she loves reading, crocheting, horseback riding, and traveling. Her sketchbook is often by her side and is filled with drawings of animals, food, museum pieces, and urban sketches.
“When I was sketching out the concept for this mural on my iPad, I knew I wanted to bring key elements from The Great Gatsby to life. I focused on capturing the atmosphere of the Roaring Twenties that represents the glamorous life the characters were trying to chase. This is the first mural I’ve ever painted and I’m happy to be able to share my work with the Princeton community, whether it makes someone reminisce on a classic story, inspires them to read it for the first time, or just brightens their day.” View more of Allison’s work on Instagram @allisonwongart or at www.allisonwong.art.