THE ZODIAC SERIES copyright pending
ARIES
The majestic bighorn sheep or the ram is inherently strong. It has two versions: one is calm, and mild easy-going manner. The other is feisty and energetic. Thus the bold & majestic raised gilding vs. the open range backdrop, Watercolor on goatskin parchment. $3,750
Giclee 100% entrata rag: $600
THE ZODIAC SERIES copyright pending
LIBRA
A glorious sun in an idyllic Aubrey Beardsley background, appears a delicate Beardsleyesque figure, upholding a scale. An icon personifies Beardsley's outrageous b/w illustrations in 1890s social milieu. Raised gilding, watercolor & shell gold painting on goatskin parchment. $3,750
Giclee 100% entrata rag: $600
THE ZODIAC SERIES copyright pending
CANCER
Channels Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and his hallmark dynamic non linear form to reference nature. The use of blue hues to bring sky and water as one. 24k gold gilding in raised and mordant gilding in garlic juice + watercolor painting on goatskin parchment. $4,750
Giclee 100% entrata rag: $600
THE ZODIAC SERIES copyright pending
TAURUS
The swirling of the matador's cape is transformed via the gilding on a brilliant vermilion. A contrast of shimmering explosive gold to the fierce raging bull. 24k gold raised & mordant gilding + watercolor on goatskin parchment. $3,750
Giclee 100% entrata rag: $600
THE ZODIAC SERIES copyright pending
GEMINI
The fourth of the Zodiac series - Artist pays homage to the 15th c. tapestries of Musee de Cluny, Paris, France. Whimsical 24k gold raised gilding dotted and sprinkled over the flora and fauna background. Watercolor on goatskin parchment. $4,750
Giclee 100% entrata rag: $600
THE ZODIAC SERIES copyright pending
CAPRICORN
The third of the series. 7.5" x 7.5" piece uses delicate and subtle flourishes to capture the gentleness of the goat. Traditional fourteenth century medieval style in 24k gold gilding & watercolor painting on goatskin parchment. NFS
Giclee 100% entrata rag: $600
THE ZODIAC SERIES copyright pending
PISCES
The second of the series. This 7.5" x 7.5" illuminated manuscript consists of layers of Lapis Lazuli pigment painted in the background with a shell gold grid on top. The koi fish add an element of orientalism to the piece. 24k raised gilding border on goatskin parchment. $3,750
Giclee 100% entrata rag: $600
THE ZODIAC SERIES copyright pending
LEO
The lion - this 7.5" x 7.5" illuminated manuscript, using mordant gilding (garlic juice) to highlight the flourish painted over the colored background. Traditional 14th c. medieval style in 24k raised gilding border & watercolor on goatskin parchment. NFS
Giclee 100% entrata rag: $600
Artist Statement - Yvonne Fok-Gundersen
I am a gilder, a painter, and formally trained as an architectural designer. My enjoyment in creating art is a result of transforming my emotions of feeling and love into an art form in order for the viewer to experience beauty and be spiritually uplifted.
My medium is watercolor and 24k gold gilding on goatskin parchment. Beginning in 2007, I spent four years taking master classes from The Getty Museum Education Department, and learned the art of 14th century medieval style manuscript illumination. My first folio completed during that period of training is called “Eight-Treasure Rice, a.k.a. Ba Bao Fan”.
I am passionate about mastering technique while also incorporating modern creative ideas drawn from both my early years living in Hong Kong and in Southern California. I have melded my interests in eastern and western art history into a new art form combining the old and new. In an earnest effort to hold the remembrance of things pasts, I combined fond memories that I hold dear and juxtapose them with the art medium of manuscript illumination. Instead of buying premade gesso, I follow traditional recipes to achieve the most authentic results.
I draw inspiration from fond memories and family traditions as well as my habitual visit to art museums. Both my background and my current life experiences in North America and in travels throughout the world working on my architectural projects have inspired the subjects of my art. Some of my ideas of contemporary subjects are the cultural iconic images we often encounter in a multi-cultural society. My current work pays homage to known artists past and present.
Yvonne Fok-Gundersen Curriculum Vitae
June 2023: Published in Gilder's Tip, periodical from Society of Gilders.
April 2023: Parallax Art Fair - Los Angeles California presented by Parallax Art Fair of London, United Kingdom.
December 2022 - April 2023: "All That Glitters" group exhibition, selected by jury at Albin Polasek Museum, Winter Park, Florida.
2020 - Present: Eight “Zodiac signs" series (copyright pending) are subjects created in conjunction with paying homage to celebrate renown artists.
2021: “White on White” High-fire Clay Sculptures, a group show at LagunaArt.com Gallery, Mission Viejo, California
2018 - 2019: "Lady of The Don" water-gilding and egg tempera painting on wood panel. Blessed by Monsignor Michael, Basilica San Juan Capistrano in 2019.
Biennal 2019 of Cultural Council of Palm Beach County: folio "Ba Bao Fan - Western" was selected by jury at Cornell Art Museum, Delray Beach, Florida
2018: Five selected giclee prints were accepted to the Historical Society of Montana, Helena, Montana in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Chinese Railroad Workers completion of the U.S. First Transcontinental Railroad.
2016: Decorated letter “O” selected by jury from Letter Arts Review, published in March 2016 issue.
2010 -2018: Eight-Treasure Rice a.k.a. “Ba Bao Fan”: Eighteen folios©.
2007-2010: Gilding and painting master classes at J. Paul Getty Museum, Brentwood, California in manuscript illumination Getty Education Department.
2006: Low-fired and High-fired Ceramics Art Show at Xiem Clay, Pasadena, California
Architectural interior & Design: architectural design practice for twenty years. In U.S.A., Canada, London, Milan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Shanghai. Proprietor of d’lighting Studio Re-defined, a lighting design consulting and distribution company.
DUMPLINGS from the Eight-Treasure Rice series a.k.a. "Ba Bao Fan".
ART REVIEWS:
1. Emily Coughlan, Curator of Albin Polasek Museum: Coughlan's remark upon receiving the artwork: "Thank you so much! It's gorgeous."
2. Review by Nicole Hickey, Curator of Eaton Gallery (past): “Your work is timeless, intricate and deeply personal. I have heard from people that at first they dismiss the work and come back and realize the immensity of skill, precision and greatness it entails.“ Plus the personal note: “I wish I had a history so rich, not necessarily as challenging, but so vibrant and heartfelt.”
3. Palm Beach Florida Weekly 2019: “The attention to detail and elaborate ornamentation given by Yvonne Fok-Gundersen to a dessert recipe comes unexpectedly. By the looks of it and the use of 24k gold gilding on goatskin parchment paper, this could have been an illuminated manuscript. Instead, the small watercolor titled “Bao Bao Fan Western (a.k.a. Eight Treasure Rice Fol. 16)” references a sweet and sticky dish traditionally eaten on Chinese New Year. The over-sized decorative B initial doesn’t announce the start of a sacred commandment but the first letter in the name of the dish. In a space framed by leafy vines, where we surely expect to find obscure Latin verses, figures “red bean paste” and “nuts.”