Yvonne Fok-Gundersen chosen Best of Show
In the 2025 Biennial Cultural Council for the Palm Beach County Exhibition. Two originals from Zodiac series: Taurus & Libra - Homage to The Masters, were chosen first prize winner. Out of 362 numbers of artwork, 153 artist entries, 17 were juried in.
THE ZODIAC SERIES copyright pending
VIRGO
Homage to the Masters: this work carries the spirit of artist Gustav Klimt: beauty of the Golden Woman. This Virgo exemplifies Klimt's use of gold gilding, mosaic and geometric patterns. It is perfectly harmonized. The ground adds richness of a Klimt-style pastoral look. Actual Size: 7.5" x 7.5". $3,975
Giclee: $600
THE ZODIAC SERIES copyright pending
ARIES
In the quiet subdued manner of Andrew Wyett: the majestic bighorn sheep or the ram is inherently strong - with two versions: calm and easy-going or feisty and energetic. This work contrasts the two by use of: a. intense bold raised gilding b. the quiet open range backdrop. $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. $4,125
Giclee 100% entrata rag: $600
THE ZODIAC SERIES copyright pending
TAURUS
In the fierce manner of Delacroix & Goya's bullfig, the swirling of the matador's cape is transformed via the gilding on brilliant vermillion. A contrast of shimmering explosive gold to the fierce raging bull. 24k gold raised & mordant gilding + watercolor on goatskin parchment. $4,500
Giclee 100% entrata rag: $650
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. $4,500
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. Sold.
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. Sold.
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.
EXHIBITIONS
EXHIBITIONS
April 2025-June 2025: The Tenth Biennale Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, Lake Worth Beach, Florida.
April 2024: Art Show at MG Studio, Los Angeles, CA.
October 2023: Society of Gilding Conference: Art Show & Advanced Gilding Techniques course.
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.
2021 “White on White” Clay Sculptures, art show at LagunaArt.com Gallery, Mission Viejo, California
December 2019: "Lady of The Don" Water-gilding shown at the Basilica San Juan Capistrano, CA.
May-August 2019: Biennal 2019 Cultural Council of Palm Beach County: "Ba Bao Fan - Western" jury selected Lake Worth Beach, Florida.
PUBLICATION
2016 Decorated letter “O” selected by jury from Letter Arts Review, published in March 2016 issue.
2016 The Gilder's Tip - Quarterly Journal of the Society of Gilders Vol. 30 No.2
2014 Calligraph - Journal of the Society For Calligraphy Southern California.
MASTER CLASSES
2007-2010: Gilding and painting master classes at J. Paul Getty Museum, Brentwood, California under Manuscript Illumination Department, Getty Education.
DUMPLINGS from the Eight-Treasure Rice series a.k.a. "Ba Bao Fan".
ART REVIEW #1:
The Tenth Biennale of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, June 2025
Exhibition held in The Main Gallery: 601 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, Florida
The ArtsPaper Page AT-9 and Page AT-11 Article Published May 2025
https://issuu.com/thecoastalstar.com/docs/the_coastal_star_may_2025
ART REVIEW 2:
"All That Glitters" Show December, 2022 to April, 2023 Group Exhibition under the Society of Gilders at The Albin Polasek Museum, Winter Park, Florida.
Emily Coughlan, Curator of Albin Polasek Museum
Coughlan's remark upon receiving the artwork, simply "Thank you so much! It's gorgeous!!"