Acrylic and soft pastel on wood panel. Gold Mountain - for those who aren’t familiar, is a nickname that Chinese immigrants had for Canada. My grandfather used to tell me stories of his childhood, how his Father (my great grand father) moved to Gum San (Gold Mountain) to make money for the family. I wanted to paint something to represent that hope - how did my great grandfather, grandfather, and my parents see Canada before they immigrated?

Helen Mak

Message

Follow

Helen Mak is a self-taught Chinese-Canadian artist based in Toronto. Her work blends traditional Chinese shan shui (landscape) painting with abstract expressionism, influenced by her experiences as a second-generation Chinese-Canadian. Mak explores the complexities of growing up with both Eastern and Western teachings, using dreamlike landscapes to envision a world where these cultures intersect. Her paintings examine themes of belonging, displacement, and the tension between tradition and modernity, with nature and the environment playing a central role. Through her work, Mak invites viewers to reflect on identity, culture, and our connection to the world.