Wilko draws his inspiration from his immediate surroundings. He finds ideas in seemingly ordinary objects, conversations with the people, even the laughter of the children in the streets of Paternoster. Every fragment of his life in the small West Coast town is reflected in the unique colour palette fans of his work have come to recognise as characteristic of his style.

Wilko Jacques Christiaan Roon rounded out his family as the youngest of three sons when he was born in 1983 in Pretoria. He performed well at school and, like his two older brothers, excelled as an art student. His cultural inclinations were balanced by a keen interest in cycling – leading him to perform exceptionally well in downhill and cross-country racing.

However, it wasn’t always smooth sailing and white beaches for Wilko, though. In the ninth grade, while on his way home after a training session, a car misjudged a road crossing. The resulting accident left Wilko in a coma for two months, partially paralysed, with brain injuries, double vision, apraxia, and multiple fractures. The rehabilitation process was long and painful, but ultimately also the impetus that led Wilko to a renewed interest in art.

Wilko, along with his parents settled in Paternoster in 2003. In 2006 he started painting in earnest – with great support from his father and well-known artist, Jan Visser. In time he established his own style and has been exhibiting his work since 2007.