Wilko Roon

Wilko Roon (1983)

Wilko draws his inspiration from his immediate surroundings, the people in Paternoster and Stellenbosch and especially the children, reflected in bright colours unique to his own style.

Wilko Jacques Christiaan Roon, the youngest of three sons, was born in 1983 in Pretoria.  Wilko performed well at school and like his two older brothers, was a top art student.  After school hours his interest was cycling, and he preformed exceptionally well in down-hill and cross-country racing. 

Ons his way home after a training session when he was in Grade 9, a car crossed the road and caused a devastating accident.  After 2 months in a coma, partially being paralysed, with brain injuries, double vision, apraxia and bone fractures, Wilko started a long process of rehabilitation.  Resulting from this rehabilitation he renewed his interest in art.

In 2003 he moved with his parents to Paternoster in the Western Cape and there in 2006 started painting for the first time. 

Now, spending more time in Stellenbosch, Wilko continues to experiment using his own style to reflect people and the environment that surrounds him.  The more recent paintings are a combination of brush and thick pallet knife strokes.