Wilko Roon ...
He draws his inspiration from his immediate surroundings, the people and especially the children in Paternoster, reflected in colours that are 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 performed exceptionally well in down hill and cross country racing. On 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. A well known artist, Jan Visser, influenced him a great deal and combined with continuous encouragement and comments from his father, Wilko started to establish his own style. Since 2007 Wilko has been exhibiting and selling his work in Paternoster.
Sy inspirasie is sy onmiddellike omgewing, die mense en veral die kinders van Paternoster wat met gebruik van helder kleure n eiesoortige karakter kry. Wilko Jacques Christiaan Roon, die derde van 3 seuns, is 1983 in Pretoria gebore. Afgesien van ander goeie prestasies was Wilko net soos sy twee ouer broers n top presteerder in kuns op skool. Buite skooltyd het hy belang gestel in fietsry en besonder goed presteer spesifiek in down hill en cross country kompetisies. Op pad huis toe van so n oefensessie, toe hy in Graad 9 was, het n motor voor hom ingery en n baie ernstige ongeluk veroorsaak. Na 2 maande in n koma, gedeeltelike verlamming, breinbeserings, dubbel visie, apraksie en beenbreuke het Wilko deur n lang proses van rehabilitasie n nuwe begin gemaak. As deel van hierdie rehabilitasie het hy sy belangstelling in kuns hernu. In 2003 trek hy saam met sy ouers na Paternoster in die Weskaap en het daar vir die eerste keer in 2006 begin skilder. 'n Bekende kunstenaar, Jan Visser, het n groot invloed op sy ontwikkeling gehad en saam met deurlopende aanmoediging en kommentaar van sy pa, het Wilko sy eie styl begin ontwikkel. Vanaf 2007 word Wilko se werk in Paternoster uitgestal en verkoop.
