Mike Man-Wa Yang is a Chinese artist originated from Hong Kong. His devotion in painting started at very young age. At the age of 16, Mike began taking up arts and design learning. After completing high school, he enrolled to the First Design College in Hong Kong, then became a designer after graduation, and continued his study in water color painting after work. During that period of time, he brought to light and targeted fine art to be his goal to pursue. In 1988, he quitted the designer job and signed up to the Fine Art Academy of Guangzhou, China, with specialization in oil painting. Mike returned to Hong Kong after graduation and worked as a freelance artist as well as a teaching professional in an art school afterward. He also sat himself in a philosophy class in the Chinese University in Hong Kong in order to broaden his artistic thinking and world view. Until 1993, Mike has held 4 personal art shows in Hong Kong that drew critics' attention with moderate acclaims.
In 1994, Mike moved to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and continued his artistic aspiration. He immersed himself in concept and skill exploration in painting, in search of a personal style by simulating traditional craftwork and striking for transcendence. The life in Canada, at the same time, exposes Mike to numerous opportunities of contemporary arts through exchange with various creative artists in art shows. The first decade in Canada saw Mike a leap of progress not only in skills and knowledge, but also style and thought. Since 1999, Mike started putting his painting to sale in studios and art fairs, and signified himself an artist that successfully integrating traditional Chinese methodology with Western perspectives. This synergy depicted a combination of cultural heritage and contemporary elements, and made Mike a unique artists and stands among his peers.
EDUCATION
1983-85
Diploma in Graphic Design
First Design College, Hong Kong
1886-88
Enrolled in drawing and water color painting
Mountain & Moon Studio, Hong Kong
1988-91
Diploma in Oil Painting
The Fine Art Academy of Guangzhou, China
1998-99
Certificate in 3-D animations
Algonquin College Ottawa, Canada
1998-99
Enrolled in abstract paintings course
Bank Street Studios Ottawa, Canada
ART SHOWS and FUNCTIONS
1987 Art show at Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
1989 2nd art show at Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
1992 Personal art show at Hong Kong Artists Association
1993 3rd art show at Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
1999 Ottawa Art in the Park exhibition, Canada
2000 Ottawa Art in the Park exhibition, Canada
2000-01 Gamma Ray Gallery (Ottawa) art exhibition and sales, Canada
2003-09 Art sales at Ottawa Multimage Home Decoration, Canada
2004 Personal art show at Francescos coffee shop, Canada
2005 Toronto One of A Kind Show, Canada
2006 Ottawa Art in the Park exhibition, Canada
2007 Toronto Artexpo. Canada
2010 Ottawa Art in the Park exhibition, Canada
2011 Ottawa Art in the park exbibition, Canada
2012 Ottawa Art in the park exbibition, Canada
2014-19 teach at SHEP(home school group)
2005-19 teach at Mike Yang Studio