maI li HUA / 麥麗華

Helen Mak

b.1996

Toronto, Canada

Helen Mak is a Chinese-Canadian artist based in Toronto. Self-taught, her work draws inspiration from both traditional Chinese Shanshui paintings and abstract expressionism. Born and raised in Toronto, Mak draws inspiration from her rich cultural heritage, exploring the complexities of being Chinese-Canadian.

Through her dreamlike landscapes, Mak envisions a fantastical world where Eastern and Western cultures intersect. Her paintings delve into themes of belonging, displacement, and the tension between tradition and modernity. Nature and the environment play a central role in her work, as she examines the intricate relationship between humans and the natural world.

Mak's self-taught artistic journey has led her to create evocative and thought-provoking pieces that invite viewers to contemplate the complexities of identity, culture, and our place in the world.