Anita Wong


Anita Wong

Anita Yan Wong is an Asian American Women Artist best known for her expressive brushstrokes and unique style of “Contemporary Traditional” paintings that defies tradition and modernity. A fourth 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 started traditional Lingnan Painting lessons at the age of five with Master painter Hsin Pengjiu – the first female student of Chao Shao An, and Pu Hsin-Yu (Aisin-Gioro Puru), cousin of Pu Yi, the last emperor of China. She 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.

In recent years, Wong taught at UC Berkeley S.F. extension California, and was an art Professor for over 14 years at MICA, SVA, and Temple University before returning to a sole focus on her art in 2015. Her works are currently featured Internationally in over 60 Traditional and Hip Cultural Blogs & Art Magazines, including N.Y. Arts, ESPN, Disney Inc., Daily Arts Magazine, Flower Magazine, Art Dependence Magazine, My Modern Met, KTSF Channel 26 News Interview, and a cover story of Works & Conversations 2017. Wong 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 Ph.D. students Internationally, such as the University of Naples L’Orientale, Italy, and the Ph.D. Department of history of art and archaeology, University of London. 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 a “Traditional art form that questions the modern minds.”

Throughout the years, Wong took part in an array of non-profit artistic projects around the world, including the Baltimore international rhythm festival, the Academy of Natural History Museum insects show, and Action AIDS. With her cross platforms 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 being the creator of Michael Jackson’s music video).



Artist Statement
“I am not interested in trying to fit into a certain group as a person nor to get my art labeled into certain art categories as an artist. I am only interested in seeking what I want to say with my art and what my art has to say back to me. Through art creations, I am able to unite, celebrate and find beauty in both western and eastern art, my travel experiences, and the marks people made in my life. My subject matter is three main subjects of Chinese painting: birds and flowers, human figures, and landscapes. My current paintings capture the beauty in nature with a moving brush and ink, allowing me to express movement and change in nature– each individual “Contemporary Traditional” painting preserves both the traditions and celebrates the current movements and markings in life.

Abstract ink landscapes

Using techniques in both traditional Chinese ink art (such as visible brush works ink blending) and Western Expressionism and Abstract Art (such as splashing, texturing), The artist creates a new style of Contemporary ink landscape that contains quality of both the skillfulness in traditional bush work (in particular Lingnan style Chinese painting) and the expression in creative freedom.