Prof. Anita Yan Wong, M.F.A.
Asian American artist, Art Professor
pseudonym: 大白菜, 筆鹿, 王欣
Archived by:
AAA.org (Asia Art Archive, Hong Kong China)
AAAC (Asian American Arts Center, New York City U.S.A.)
Widewalls.ch (World leading Contemporary and Urban Arts database)
Permanent Art & Art book Collection:
Library of Congress
The Graphic Arts Loan Collection (GALC), University of California, Berkeley
University of Cambridge Library
Firestone Library, Princeton University
Yale University Robert B Haas Family Arts Library
Official Bruce Lee Family Foundation
International Art Museum of America
Frank Llyod Wright’s Cat house room, Feline Historical Museum, CFA Foundation
Faculty:
UC Berkeley Extension, SF
School of Visual Arts, NYC
Maryland Institute College of Arts, MD
Tyler School of Arts, Temple University
The Art Institute
Fellowship Award:
Robert B. McMillen foundation
Founder of:
Guo Hua Modernist Movement 國畫型人
Silicon Valley Art and Technology Meetup
Asia Team Behance (Adobe), Asia Team Magazine Publication
Book publications:
Between Tradition & Modernity: The Contemporary Traditional Art of of Anita Yan Wong
Ink kittens: The "Contemporary Traditional" feline paintings by Anita Yan Wong
Cat Philosophy: when cat meet the World's greatest minds
Minimalist Cat Art
She, ink portraits by Anita Yan Wong
Nature's poems: Earth art and Poetry
Articles:
"Anita Yan Wong & Lingnan Painting", Daily Art Magazine
"A Conversation with Anita Yan Wong: A Place to Stand", Works & Conversations Magazine
"Gathering of the famous", Art Dependence Magazine
"Blue", The meaning of Despair and Hope during the Pandemic, Stanford University
"Rorschach", China hand Magazine, Yale University
Social media:
Instagram.com/anitayanwong
Testimonials:
"Anita Yan Wong is a multi media artist who uses her passion for nature and her art to capture the beauty and mystery of the world we must save. She does this not with a heavy hand of warnings, but with whimsy and surprise, transcending time and promising the possibility of a future of hope."
– Paul R. Ehrlich, Bing Professor of Population Studies Emeritus; President, Center for Conservation Biology; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
"Living in the Bay Area, Anita Wong’s commitment to a traditional form of
Chinese brush painting with its inherently inner quest is brave, to say the
least, where the artworld's attention - as with so much else - is focused
on spectacle, celebrity and blue chip investment."
– Richard Whittaker, Founder & Editor, Works & Conversations Magazine
"Anita is unafraid to see unusual connections – for example Louise Bourgeois‘ Spider sculptures and the blank inkiness of Chinese painting, the daring and innovation of her work is not always obvious."
– Isla Phillips, Art, Archaeology and the Roman poet Ovid specialist, University of Cambridge; Editor, Daily Art Magazine
"Traditional art form that questions the modern minds" – Zishi Li, Editor, Yale University China Hand magazine
"Anita Wong defies Tradition and Modernity in her latest painting series" – Justin Fang, Editor, Amadeus magazine
"Brilliant, seemingly alive ink paintings" – Zach Tutor, Curator & Editor, Supersonic Art, Juxtapoz & Hi-Fructose magazine
"Anita Yan Wong is a multi media artist who uses her passion for nature and her art to capture the beauty and mystery of the world we must save. She does this not with a heavy hand of warnings, but with whimsy and surprise, transcending time and promising the possibility of a future of hope."
– Paul R. Ehrlich, Bing Professor of Population Studies Emeritus; President, Center for Conservation Biology; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
"Living in the Bay Area, Anita Wong’s commitment to a traditional form of
Chinese brush painting with its inherently inner quest is brave, to say the
least, where the artworld's attention - as with so much else - is focused
on spectacle, celebrity and blue chip investment."
– Richard Whittaker, Founder & Editor, Works & Conversations Magazine
"Anita is unafraid to see unusual connections – for example Louise Bourgeois‘ Spider sculptures and the blank inkiness of Chinese painting, the daring and innovation of her work is not always obvious."
– Isla Phillips, Art, Archaeology and the Roman poet Ovid specialist, University of Cambridge; Editor, Daily Art Magazine
"Traditional art form that questions the modern minds" – Zishi Li, Editor, Yale University China Hand magazine
"Anita Wong defies Tradition and Modernity in her latest painting series" – Justin Fang, Editor, Amadeus magazine
"Brilliant, seemingly alive ink paintings" – Zach Tutor, Curator & Editor, Supersonic Art, Juxtapoz & Hi-Fructose magazine
Artist Bio
Anita Yan Wong, M.F.A., is an Asian American Women Artist best known for her expressive brush strokes and unique style of “Contemporary Traditional" paintings that defies tradition and modernity. The artist, who taught at UC Berkeley S.F. extension California in recent years, is a 4th generation Lingnan painter (which originated in southern China in the late 19th century, known for the fusion of mastering modern Chinese, Japanese and Western painting approaches.). Wong worked as an art Professor for over 15 years at MICA, SVA and Temple University before returning to a sole focus on her art in 2015. Her works are currently featured Internationally on over 90 Traditional and Hip Cultural Blogs & Art Magazines including N.Y. Arts, ESPN, Disney Inc., official Bruce Lee Family Foundation, Daily Arts Magazine, Flower Magazine, KTSF Channel 26 News, Komo News Seattle, Seattle Chinese Times, American Lifestyle Magazine and a cover story of Works & Conversations Magazine. The artist was awarded first place wall art by “Design within Reach” in Design Philadelphia Award; "Excellent Scholars" from Maryland Institute College of Art & "Teaching excellence honor" from the art Institute and Fellowship Award from Robert B. McMillen foundation 2021. Wong's work is researched by Academics; Art historians and Phd students Internationally. She has collaborated with MAHB, Stanford University with the goal of preserving Lingnan Guo Hua and the beauties in nature. Yale University's China Hands Magazine described her paintings as “Traditional art form that questions the modern minds.”
"American Bald Eagle", 58 inch x 5 yards, ink on paper, 2022
Permanent Collection of International Art Museum of America
Education
Wong started traditional Lingnan Painting lessons at the age of five with Master painter Hsin Pengjiu – first female students of Chao Shao An and Pu Hsin-Yu (Aisin-Gioro Puru), cousin of Pu Yi, the last emperor of China. The artist received her first western art education – B.A. (Honors) in Graphic Design from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London after graduating from Hong Kong Polytechnic University Art and Design department; her M.F.A. and M.A. in Digital Photography and Digital Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art. Wong served as an electronic media and cultural professor for over fifteen years before returning to a sole focus on her art in 2015. During this time, she was awarded Excellence Scholars from Maryland Institute College of Art and “Teaching excellence honor” from the Art Institute. Throughout the years the artist took part in an array of non profit artistic projects around the world including Baltimore international rhythm festival, Academy of Natural History Museum insects show and Action AIDS. With her cross platform interests like film and electronic media – she has also served as a guest speaker for many events, including film and television director Bob Giraldi (best known for the creator of Michael Jackson music video).
Wong started traditional Lingnan Painting lessons at the age of five with Master painter Hsin Pengjiu – first female students of Chao Shao An and Pu Hsin-Yu (Aisin-Gioro Puru), cousin of Pu Yi, the last emperor of China. The artist received her first western art education – B.A. (Honors) in Graphic Design from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London after graduating from Hong Kong Polytechnic University Art and Design department; her M.F.A. and M.A. in Digital Photography and Digital Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art. Wong served as an electronic media and cultural professor for over fifteen years before returning to a sole focus on her art in 2015. During this time, she was awarded Excellence Scholars from Maryland Institute College of Art and “Teaching excellence honor” from the Art Institute. Throughout the years the artist took part in an array of non profit artistic projects around the world including Baltimore international rhythm festival, Academy of Natural History Museum insects show and Action AIDS. With her cross platform interests like film and electronic media – she has also served as a guest speaker for many events, including film and television director Bob Giraldi (best known for the creator of Michael Jackson music video).
Subjects & Style
Nature is the main inspiration for the artist who equally admires works from the Impressionism and Fauvism movement and the brush strokes found in traditional Asian paintings. With her background in creating moving imagery, Anita explores the movements of subjects and passage of time with her fast moving brush, which is why animals and natural elements represent recurrent topics in her work. Seemingly alive– cats and birds in full flight experience a certain level of abstraction but still retain their natural appeal. Perception is also a recurrent topic in her paintings as the artist tries to explore various ways individuals perceive her imagery. Inspired by Duchamp, Wong believes her Contemporary Traditional paintings are not only intended to please the eye, instead it could be used as a tool to inspire the mind of the viewers in the Millennium about the meaning of the new traditional arts.
Nature is the main inspiration for the artist who equally admires works from the Impressionism and Fauvism movement and the brush strokes found in traditional Asian paintings. With her background in creating moving imagery, Anita explores the movements of subjects and passage of time with her fast moving brush, which is why animals and natural elements represent recurrent topics in her work. Seemingly alive– cats and birds in full flight experience a certain level of abstraction but still retain their natural appeal. Perception is also a recurrent topic in her paintings as the artist tries to explore various ways individuals perceive her imagery. Inspired by Duchamp, Wong believes her Contemporary Traditional paintings are not only intended to please the eye, instead it could be used as a tool to inspire the mind of the viewers in the Millennium about the meaning of the new traditional arts.
Artist Statement
My current work has been dealing with the role of “Contemporary Traditional” art form (in particular preserving and pushing the boundaries of Lingnan Painting to the next level as a 4th generation Lingnan Asian American painter) in the Informational Art age. Through art creations, I am able to unite, celebrate and find beauty in both eastern and western; traditional and modern art. My subject matter are bird and flower; cats & tigers and the human figure. Calligraphy brush and ink allows me to capture the purified expressive form of the subjects. My current painting subject is the House Cat (different than the common themes found in traditional Chinese painting) because we, as Modern viewers can all relate to the Cat! I do not see the need to make the Cat cute nor bizarre in my art because the Cat is already a perfect being / a moving piece of art.Instead, I want to express the Cat and her characters with the most minimalist brush strokes – just enough strokes to cause form, texture and spirit of Cat to be felt.
Older works like "Rorschach", 2016 for example, offers the viewer a Rorschach test, which invites them to question openly on what the individual sees of traditional art in the digital age. This invitation allows an old ancient art form to question the modern minds. My 2016 painting series “Preserve” uses pins to preserve real insects and objects found in nature reflects my ultimate goal: Preserving the beauty from nature and the ancient art form of Lingnan Guo hua (The National Art of China during 19th century, parallel to the Impressionist movement in the West). Both Traditional and Hip Cultural; Western and Eastern Arts reflects who I am and plays a key role in my art creation. Although I was trained as a Traditional Lingnan artist, life somehow brought me to live and work in the Silicon Valley, working with Hi-Tech and start-up companies has impacted my art creations tremendously, it make me cherish both the past and the future. My ultimate dream as an artist is to continue developing unique styles of "Contemporary traditional arts" (in particular Lingnan) that reflects our current time and speaks to viewers in the Millennium.
My current work has been dealing with the role of “Contemporary Traditional” art form (in particular preserving and pushing the boundaries of Lingnan Painting to the next level as a 4th generation Lingnan Asian American painter) in the Informational Art age. Through art creations, I am able to unite, celebrate and find beauty in both eastern and western; traditional and modern art. My subject matter are bird and flower; cats & tigers and the human figure. Calligraphy brush and ink allows me to capture the purified expressive form of the subjects. My current painting subject is the House Cat (different than the common themes found in traditional Chinese painting) because we, as Modern viewers can all relate to the Cat! I do not see the need to make the Cat cute nor bizarre in my art because the Cat is already a perfect being / a moving piece of art.Instead, I want to express the Cat and her characters with the most minimalist brush strokes – just enough strokes to cause form, texture and spirit of Cat to be felt.
Older works like "Rorschach", 2016 for example, offers the viewer a Rorschach test, which invites them to question openly on what the individual sees of traditional art in the digital age. This invitation allows an old ancient art form to question the modern minds. My 2016 painting series “Preserve” uses pins to preserve real insects and objects found in nature reflects my ultimate goal: Preserving the beauty from nature and the ancient art form of Lingnan Guo hua (The National Art of China during 19th century, parallel to the Impressionist movement in the West). Both Traditional and Hip Cultural; Western and Eastern Arts reflects who I am and plays a key role in my art creation. Although I was trained as a Traditional Lingnan artist, life somehow brought me to live and work in the Silicon Valley, working with Hi-Tech and start-up companies has impacted my art creations tremendously, it make me cherish both the past and the future. My ultimate dream as an artist is to continue developing unique styles of "Contemporary traditional arts" (in particular Lingnan) that reflects our current time and speaks to viewers in the Millennium.
Anita's feline ink paintings, Permanent display in Frank Llyod Wright’s Cat house room @ The Feline Historical Museum and GALC New Acquisitions @ UC Berkeley