The 'Gratitude' series, officially started in 2016, represents a significant milestone in MaiYap's artistic evolution. While she began moving away from realism as early as 2012, her journey into abstraction was characterized by a shift in her color palette—from vibrant, intense colors to muted, soft pastels. By adopting softer colors, MaiYap sought to convey a more subtle, yet profound message, suggesting that if people could see the beauty she captures, they might also listen more attentively to the planet's needs. Each piece, meticulously crafted with a palette knife, layers these gentle colors and textures to build tactile canvases that engage and demand contemplation. These textured strokes serve as metaphors for the intricate relationship between human activity and nature.
From the Gratitude Series, No 29, 2022
Palette Knife Oil on Canvas | 42 x 45 Inches
Her choice of materials reflects the inherent paradoxes of human environmental impacts. Despite potential harms, MaiYap adheres to sustainable practices, such as recycling excess paint and minimizing waste, mirroring the broader themes of her work: a delicate balance between creation and destruction, and the potential for redemption through mindful artistic practices.
From the Gratitude Series, No 5, 2022
Palette Knife Oil on Canvas | 30x 40 Inches
The exhibition delves into the symbolic elements MaiYap employs, such as skier marks and abstracted wind patterns, to articulate the interconnectedness of humanity and nature. These elements invite viewers to reflect on their personal and collective environmental impacts, enhancing the exhibition's call to awareness and responsibility.
"Eco-Aesthetics in Motion" is not merely a showcase of artistic achievements; it is a vibrant call to action. It asks us to consider how we might also contribute to the health of our planet through mindfulness and creativity. MaiYap’s works bridge East and West, human and nature, despair and hope, inviting us to immerse ourselves in an intricate world where every stroke and color is imbued with a deep love for the Earth and a hopeful vision for its future.
This exhibition invites us to appreciate the aesthetic and technical aspects of MaiYap's work and to embrace the profound environmental messages it conveys. "Eco-Aesthetics in Motion" urges us to observe, reflect, and act with gratitude for the planet that sustains us all.
MaiYap is an award-winning Asian Latina multi-disciplinary artist and art instructor. Her work emphasizes social and environmental understanding. A master colorist with 25 years of experience, she paints in a variety of techniques, ranging from realistic brush-painted flowers to landscapes and abstracts done exclusively with palette knives. Her paintings bring attention to the state of our planet and serve as a call to action. Her latest conceptual projects explore her multi-cultural identity, emphasizing the power of family connections, discrimination towards Asian Americans, and reproductive justice.
For 14 years, she taught multiple art courses at Fairchild Tropical Gardens. During her tenure, she founded Palette Knife Artists of Miami, the only group of its kind in South Florida, whose mission has been to bring awareness to endangered and threatened species.
Deeply struck by the hate crime targeting Asian Americans, especially the 2021 Atlanta spa shooting, MaiYap’s series “Reflection on Awakening” emphasizes an ongoing healing process and the continuous journey of finding one’s inner peace. The paintings do not wish to bring out the dark side but hope to approach the serious topic of Asian hate by calling attention to what is beautiful and meaningful in Chinese culture as a catalyst for addressing the brutality brought on by hatred.By utilizing common objects found in her childhood home, MaiYap has been delving into a more conceptual body of work to better explore her identity and preserve her heritage and family connections. She creates powerful and visually engaging installations with objects reminiscent of what she holds dear, such as Chinese spoons, rice cups, and ceremonial incense sticks.
She has a degree in Advertising and Graphic Design from the University of Georgia. A native of Panamá, she works and resides with her family in Miami, Florida.
This exhibition has also been made possible with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, the Mayor, the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners and the Rodriguez Collection
