Stephen Yau(1957-)
Stephen Yau, an international awards winning artist, Art competitions juror and fine art instructor. He is a member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolours CSPWS, International Watercolour Masters IWM, advisor of the Dynasty Watercolour Association DWA, Toronto and Art to fly, HK.
His paintings have been exhibited in 38 solo n more 300 group exhibitions in various countries and are in the collections of Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Galerie D’Art Sepia (Paris), Diploma Collection of Canada, City of Markham… private n corporate collections worldwide.
He has started watercolour since 1977, being hailed as a genius of light and established himself as one of the finest watercolourists in Asia and Canada. Since moving from Hong Kong to Canada in 1994, he has been exploring different series of acrylic works – Land and Dreamland are by far his most popular acrylic series.
His Land Series which characterized white birches by layers of paint; celebrates nature and expresses the integrity of birches in acrylic on canvas.
Statement: Land Series
Acrylic on Canvas
Birch Song | White Dream |
‘Land’ series has been inspired by my textural watercolours since 2008. It is characterized by means of different weave complex webs of colour, spattered, splashed and washed through the dense background jungle that interpret the nature in an semi abstract way, leading people to the deepest part of my world.
Awards
| 1978 | Merit Award in Western Painting – HK Visual Art Society Exhibition (Hong Kong) |
| 1987 | 1st Runner-up in Contemporary Painting Competition – Phillippe Charriol Foundation (Hong Kong) |
| 1997 | Georgia Watercolor Society Award – National Exhibition by CWA (USA) |
| 1997 | Best in Watercolor – Art Focus Artists Show (Toronto, Canada) |
| 1998 | Woolfitt’s Award – Best in Watercolor – Scarborough Arrs Council Exhibition (Toronto, Canada) |
| 1999 | Best in Watercolor – Art Focus Artists Show (Toronto, Canada) |
| 1999 | Honorable Mention – Expressing your Faith Through Art Competition -Tyndale College & Seminary (Toronto, Canada) |
| 2000 | Woolfitt’s Award – Best in Watercolor – Scarborough Aers Council Exhibition (Toronto, Canada) |
| 2004 | Sam Black Award – Open Water Exhibition by CSPWC (Toronto, Canada) |
| 2008 | Best in Show – Art Fair by West Shore Art League (Michigan, USA) |
| 2010 | Merit Award ‘Flora’ – Malaysia International Online Juried Art Competition (Malaysia) |
| 2020 | Merit Award ‘Flora’ – Malaysia International Online Juried Art Competition (Malaysia) |
Publications
| 1986 | Cover Art – Hong Kong Literature Vol.19 |
| 1990 | Opening Invitation for New Club House – The Hong KOng Jockey Club |
| 1991 | Cover Image and Article – Opening of Hong Kong Park |
| 1991 | Opening Invitation for New Club House – The Hong KOng Jockey Club |
| 1993 | Book – Stephen Yau & Watercolors, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| 1993 | Book – Watercolor on paper by Stephen Yau |
| 1994 | Cover Image – The Readers’ Digest, Vol. July |
| 1995 | Feature artist – APRO BiennialVol.1 (Jap. & Eng. version) |
| 1995 | Feature artist – APRO BiennialVol.1 (Jap. & Eng. version) |
| 1997 | Book – Watercolors by Stephen Yau 96-97 |
| 1998 | Book – Watercolors by Stephen Yau 97-99 |
| 1999 | Book – Watercolors by Stephen Yau 97-99 |
| 2000 | Calendar – Works by Stephen Yau |
| 2001 | Book – Home of Dragons – Watercolors by Stephen Yau |
| 2004 | Promotion cards for Tourism Toronto – Dreamland |
| 2005 | Calendar – Dreamland – Works by Stephen Yau |
| 2006 | Poster for Tourism Toronto – Creative Toronto by Stephen Yau |
| 2007 | Calendar – Dreamland II – Works by Stephen Yau |
| 2010 | Feature artist – International Contemporary Artist Vol.1 |
| 2014 | Book – East Meets West – Watercolors by Stephen Yau |
| 2015 | Feature artist of the Art of Watercolor – The Art Magazine for Watercolors (Eng & Fr. version) |
| 2015 | Book – The Land -Acrylic by Stephen Yau |
| 2015 | Book – Hong Kong Series – Watercolors by Stephen Yau |
| 2016 | Book – PS50 – Works by Calvin Poon and Stephen Yau |
| 2016 | Book – World of Love – Watercolors by Stephen Yau |
| 2018 | Book – Destiny of Water – Watercolors by Stephen Yau |
*Private collection
In the morning
1986
Watercolor
56x76cm
Shot was taken in a small scarcely-populated village in Tai Po. Passing by a dilapidated farmhouse, I was caught by a stream of dawn light entering into a room of darkness. The layout of the farming tools in the room reminded me of the watercolour by the American nostalgic realist master, Andrew Wyeth. The influence of his works to many contemporary realist artists including me had been far-reaching…
Holy Day #2
1988
watercolor
56x76cm
Photo was taken in Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market. The fruit hawkers took a break on Sunday, secured their wooden carts safely using iron chains and went home to have family gatherings. Wooden carts expressed the hard work of the fruit hawkers. The orderly arrangement and colours in harmony worked very well with the combined effect of light and shadow. This made a peaceful scene full of holy day mood. This painting was invited to join the Olympic International Watercolour Exhibition held in Seoul in 1988.
*Private collection
*Private collection
Living Wood
1988
Watercolor
56x76cm
A heap of abandoned wood was piled up like a mountain. Nobody laid eyes on them; however, they caught my eye. The arrangement of the organized mess, and the contrast and the interweaving of brightness and the darkness showing in light and shadow were absolutely beautiful. I would like to add colours to their lives through watercolour and turned them into”living wood”.
Under the eaves
1988
Watercolor
56x76cm
The composition of shabby wooden door, rusty iron sheet, blue-white striped canvas and the leaves under sunshine portrayed the lifestyle of crudity and simplicity. Leaves felt carefree enjoying the cool breeze and sunbathing leisurely under the eaves. What a joyous moment!
The original work was collected by the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Give thanks to the Lord !
*Collection of Hong Kong Museum of Art
*Private collection
Sweet Family
1990
Watercolor
56x76cm
A branch of leaves dwelled in a tiny square space. Although crowded, they got along with one another harmoniously. Red bricks in umber tone being irradiated by the sunlight made the scene exceptionally warm and harmonious. Besides expressing the warmth, the painting depicting the texture details of the leaves and the red bricks was quite satisfactory.
Late Autumn
1996
Watercolor
56x76cm
I love this painting very much. True light observed and protect secretly. Late autumn withered fallen leaves seemed being born again and gaining new life.
The painting was shown in the Asian Watercolour Alliance Exhibition hosted by Hong Kong in 1996. The exhibition was taken place in the Lower Block of the City Hall. After 23 years, it was shown again in the Dynasty Watercolour Association (DWA) in the McKay Art Center in Canada.
It was the same painting, I am still good. Thank you, Lord!
*Private collection
Watermelons #5
1998
Watercolor
56x76cm
I did another favourite painting of “Watermelons” in 1998. The photo was taken in a watermelon market in Melaka in the early 90s. My artist friend was my tour guide at that time. We passed the market selling watermelons. I drew the curtain and looked inside and saw lots of big watermelons piling up like a mountain. The sunlight penetrated through the seam of the ragged plastic cloth on the left. Glory was manifest in humbleness, it’s gorgeous!
This painting entered an art competition hosted by the Tyndale Seminary in Toronto in 1999 and won an honourable mention award by the Grace of the Lord!
Back home
2015
Watercolor
38x56cm
A rusty shabby iron door, a pile of carton boxes waiting to be recycled, an old bike parked by the road side – It is believed that there would not be too many people paying attention to their existence. When you take a closer look, each of them displays the unique temperament and gifts of God. The environment and the contrast of light and shadow are in such a great complement to each other which is absolutely beautiful! It’s my pleasure to share this with you!
Memories
2015
Watercolor
38x48cm
A rusty shabby iron door, a pile of carton boxes waiting to be recycled, an old bike parked by the road side – It is believed that there would not be too many people paying attention to their existence. When you take a closer look, each of them displays the unique temperament and gifts of God. The environment and the contrast of light and shadow are in such a great complement to each other which is absolutely beautiful! It’s my pleasure to share this with you!
Make a living
2016
Watercolor
38x48cm
A rusty shabby iron door, a pile of carton boxes waiting to be recycled, an old bike parked by the road side – It is believed that there would not be too many people paying attention to their existence. When you take a closer look, each of them displays the unique temperament and gifts of God. The environment and the contrast of light and shadow are in such a great complement to each other which is absolutely beautiful! It’s my pleasure to share this with you!
