Yvonne Kwok is a multidisciplinary visual artist and martial arts educator with a passion for blending Eastern traditions with contemporary Western influences. Born and raised in Hong Kong, she developed a deep appreciation for art at a young age, particularly through drawing and practicing Chinese calligraphy. She has always been fascinated by the beauty and profound meaning of traditional Chinese characters.

While pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in New York City, Yvonne discovered a passion for Western painting, particularly abstract art, which she admired for its ability to provoke thought and new perspectives. For her final thesis, she painted the Chinese characters “抽象” (abstract) using a geometric approach inspired by the tangram (七巧板), a dissection puzzle of seven flat shapes. Through this work, she aimed to challenge viewers to see Chinese characters in a new light. This piece became the foundation of her “畫字-寫畫” (Painted Words - Written Paintings) series, which reflects her multicultural background and artistic vision.

Yvonne’s work stands in contrast to traditional Chinese calligraphy. She often incorporates bold, straight lines that extend beyond the canvas, breaking the constraints of traditional forms. She also uses color to convey emotion and deeper meaning, integrating elements of Chinese calligraphy, modern abstract painting, and graphic design to create a unique visual language.

Beyond her artistic pursuits, Yvonne is also a dedicated martial arts educator specializing in traditional Taekwon-do and Practical Wing Chun Kung Fu. Her journey in martial arts began around the same time she moved to New York to study art, making both disciplines equally essential to her life. Through her practice, she has discovered many parallels between martial arts and visual arts, and one of her ongoing goals is to explore and highlight the connections between the two.

Yvonne is also a lifelong dog lover and the proud dog mom of an Olde English Bulldogge named Pang Pang (@allaboutpangpang). Her love for animals inspired her to create dot-based pet portraits (inspired by pointillism), capturing the unique essence of each furry friend. She currently accepts commissions for custom pet portraits, which can be viewed on her website: www.doggydots.art or her Instagram @doggydots!