Paul Eng

Paul Eng

Born Gary Wesley in Toronto, sister Lillian Pong (never met). Chinese father died before I was born, Cree Ojibway mother gave us up for adoption. I grew up in Windsor, Ontario, got expelled when I was 16, left for Toronto and got a job selling magazine subscriptions, straight commission, knocked on about 100 doors a day, very calloused knuckles. Wore a suit and tie. Later got a job as a bellboy and moved in with a French salesgirl. Went to Vancouver January 1, 1970, wanted to get a job on a boat but it was sealed by union rules, hitched back across Canada from Vancouver to Thunder Bay, minus 40 or more near Winnipeg. I had 11 cents in my pocket after the phone call in Vancouver to my girlfriend who told me not to come back to Windsor. At Thunder Bay, called my dad for a ticket from Thunder Bay to Toronto and hitched that night to Windsor, mail truck gave me a ride to my car factory town.

Went to St. Clair College, Comm. Arts, 1 year, Fanshawe College, photography, 1 year, 2 years University of Windsor, went to Alberta and got a job as a dishwasher in the Syncrude Project, 1975, left for London, England, Paris, Amsterdam, Tangiers, Essaouria, Marrakesch, Ceuta and back to Europe, did not make it to the Octoberfest, met a German girl, stayed 13 years, have 2 daughters in Saarbrücken. Also spent 7 months in Mazatlan, twice to Greece, twice to Thailand. Yes, I like Rimbaud, Neruda, Spender, Rilke etc. Also got to Fort Lauderdale three times, once when I was 17. 

Productions

Photos

Photos by John Lauener