24k gold gilding & watercolor painting in style of 14th c. medieval times
Artist Statement - Yvonne Fok-Gundersen
I am a gilder, and a painter with an architectural design training. I transform my emotions in feeling and love into my art. For my viewers to experience beauty and to uplift their spirits.
My medium is traditional watercolor, 24k gold gilding, & shell gold painting on goatskin parchment. From 2008 to 2013, I had the privilege of taking master classes from The Getty Center Departments of Manuscripts & Education, on the art of 14th century medieval style manuscript illumination. My first series is “Eight-Treasure Rice: Celebration of A Heritage”.
Mastering techniques is my passion and incorporating them with modern creative ideas is a concept for the Eight-Treasure Rice and the Zodiac series. Drawn from my early years living in Hong Kong and thereafter in Southern California. I combine my eastern and western cultural influence to bring the past into the present. With the fond memories of my heritage, I juxtapose them with the art of manuscript illumination. I use traditional treatises & recipes to achieve authenticity.
I enjoy visit to galleries and museums, it helps draw inspirations. My travels/work globally increased a connectiveness between different cultures. My creative ideas are both contemporary and iconic. The current Zodiac series (April 2026) pays homage to artists past and present.
copyright pending
AQUARIUS
Background reflects gilding techniques, pastoral colors, and painting style of the fourteenth century Limbourg Brothers, Herman, Paul, & Jean. In the "Belle Heures" of Jean de France, Duc du Berry - 14th c. Medieval France
Actual Size: 8.0" x 8.0" on goatskin parchment
$3,750
Giclee print: $450 on entrada rag paper
copyright pending
VIRGO
This work carries the spirit of artist Gustav Klimt: Beauty of the Golden Woman. This piece exemplifies Klimt's use of gold gilding, mosaic, and geometric patterns in perfect harmony. The background colors add richness of a Klimt style.
Actual Size: 8.0"x8.0" on goatskin parchment
$3,750
Giclee: $450 on entrada rag paper
copyright pending
ARIES
In the quiet subdued manner of Andrew Wyeth: the majestic bighorn sheep or ram, inherently strong - has two sides: calm and easy-going or feisty and energetic. This is contrasts by: a. intense color with bold raised gilding, b. on a wide open range backdrop.
8"x8" on goatskin parchment
$3,750
Giclee entrata rag: $450
PALM BEACH BIENNALE EXHIBITION 2025 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.
8"X8" $3,750
Giclee 100% entrata rag: $450
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.
8"x8" $4,125
Giclee 100% entrata rag: $450
FIRST PRIZE PALM BEACH BIENNALE 2025 copyright pending
TAURUS
In the fierce manner of Delacroix & Goya's bullfights, the swirling of the matador's cape is transformed via the gilding in brilliant vermillion. A contrast of shimmering explosive gold to the fierce raging bull. 24k gold raised & mordant gilding & watercolor on goatskin parchment.
$4,250
Giclee 100% Entrata Rag $450
ART REVIEWS 2025
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: Article Published May 2025, pages 41-43
https://issuu.com/thecoastalstar.com/docs/the_coastal_star_may_2025
Arts & Entertainment Palm Beach Edition Florida Weekly May 7, 2025: Society Section Lake Worth Cultural Council for Palm Beach County's Biennial 2025 Opening Reception
copyright pending
GEMINI
The fourth piece of the series - Artist pays homage to the 15th c. tapestries of Musee de Cluny, Paris, France. Droplets of 24k gold raised gilding dotted sprinkled over the flora and fauna background. Watercolor on goatskin parchment.
Sold.
Giclee 100% entrata rag: $450
copyright pending
CAPRICORN
The third of the series. 8.0" x 8.0" 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: $450
THE ZODIAC SERIES copyright pending
PISCES
The second of the series. This 8.0" x 8.0" illuminated manuscript painted with six layers of Lapis Lazuli pigment in the background with shell gold grid & embellishment. The koi fish add an element of orientalism to the piece. 24k raised gilding border on goatskin parchment.
$3,750
Giclee 100% entrata rag: $450
copyright pending
LEO
The lion - 8.0"x8.0" illuminated manuscript, done in mordant gilding (garlic juice) to highlight the flourish painted over the colored background. Homage to The Limbourg Brothers' "The Belle Heures" 14th c. medieval France. 24k raised gilding border & watercolor on goatskin parchment.
Sold.
Giclee 100% entrata rag: $450
EXHIBITIONS and PUBLICATION
EXHIBITIONS
April 13, 2026 - June 26, 2026: Asian-American Artists Exhibition by The Culutural Council for Palm Beach County, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460
February 27, 2026 - April 11, 2026 Aureate Show by The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County at 601 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, Florida 33460
April 2025-June 2025: The Tenth Biennale by The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, Lake Worth Beach, Florida.
April 2024: PARALLAX ART FAIR at MG Studio, 1319 W 11th St., Los Angeles, CA 90015
October 2023: Society of Gilding (SOG) Conference: Art Show & Advanced Gilding Techniques course. Studio Florence, Italy
April 2023: PARALLAX ART FAIR - Los Angeles California by Parallax Art Fair of London, United Kingdom.
December 2022 - April 2023: "All That Glitters" Society of Gilders Exhibition, selected by jury. Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, Winter Park, Florida.
2021 “White on White” Clay Sculptures, art show at LagunaArt.com Gallery, Mission Viejo, California
December 2019: Water-gilding "Lady of The Don" shown at the Basilica San Juan Capistrano, CA.
May-August 2019: The Seventh Biennale by Cultural Council for Palm Beach County: "Eight-Treasure Rice - Western" selected by jury. 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
2008-2013: 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 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!!"