Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anita Yan Wong. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Anita Yan , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful project I’ve worked on is curating “The Cat Art Show 2024” and creating “The Largest Cat Painting in the World” (size: 6ftx20ft) during 2024

It is meaningful to me because I’m able to challenge myself and develop a unique style of cat painting as a 4th generation Lingnan painter.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

​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.”

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.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Reading and researching has always been important to me as an art professor and artist.
I enjoy. reading Artist Biography a lot, I think they help me understand the struggle and life of an artist as I go through it in my own journey. My most recent read, which I enjoyed is Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish there were more ways of sharing my work and experiences in the past. Nowadays, there are many sites that allows an artist to share projects with other artist. It is a great way to connect with other artists and form groups for future collaboration opportunities. I have started an art and technology meetup group in the Silicon valley, where we shared ideas and resources in both art and technology.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.anitayanwong.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anitayanwong/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoyBrush

Image Credits

gallery image: Yuan Ru Art Center