Bio: 

Mary Cheung is a multi-disciplinary artist and was born in Hong Kong and grew up in San Francisco, California.

She began her artistic practice in painting and sketching. Then moving onto Photography and creating digital and conceptual art with a photography base. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world. She also has public art in several cities. You can find more info about her and view her work on IG: @Notjusttheordinary

​

Artist Statement: 

My art addresses a lot of personal & social issues.

It challenges the viewer to reassess what is the norm.

It encourages people to question & think.

It’s often a mix of unconventional point of views, sarcasm & sometimes a touch of humor into the situation. 

It’s often very striking, sensual, controversial, detail orientated & mindful.

I bring thought provoking ideas & issues to my viewers. I usually package the art in a beautiful imagery that is Dynamic, Unique and sometimes a little strange.

I practice art because I recognize the value it has as a tool to reach & to connect all people everywhere. 

I practice it to try & create a better world, one that can help people understand each other better & learn to be more tolerant.

I believe that Art is a catalyst for change that is sorely needed in the world and I want to be a part of that contribution.

​

Profile: 

I am a designer and artist with years of experience creating art in various forms, including fashion, costumes, photography, painting, indoor and outdoor public art. I'm also a published poet. I love being able to create art that invites viewers to look closer and experience inspiration, joy and/or excitement.

​

Awards:        NAACP – 1991 BEST COSTUME DESIGN

   2025     

• ​Department of Cultural Affair and The Arroyo Arts Collective Grant recipient

   2024        

• Eastside Arts Initiative Grant recipient

• Department of Cultural Affair and The Arroyo Arts Collective Grant recipient

• Denis Diderot Grant Recipient

• Emerging Artist Award, Chateau D' Orquevaux

Education:   AA Degree - Fashion Institute of Designing and Merchandising

Skills:            Creative, Knowledgeable, Mixed media, Organized, Communication, Teamwork, Meeting                           deadline & budget, Critical thinking Handy-person & construction skills, Photoshop,                                     Photographer & published poet, Resilience.

Artwork and exhibits:

​

2024                    King County Metro Photomural, Seattle, “3 DRAGONS”, “JOY”, “SPIRIT MOON” Digital Photography 

2024                    CSUN Art Gallery, “Seeing and being Seen”,18111 Nordhoff St. Northridge, Ca 91330 – group exhibit

                                           “Not One Of US #2”, Digital Photography art

2024                    The Makery, “The Art of Costume Couture” 260 S. Los Angeles St. – group exhibit

                                           “ONCE UPON A TIME” and “TEA PARTY”

2024                    The Makery, “Enter The Goddess 2” 260 S. Los Angeles St. – group exhibit

                                           “ASCENSION #1” and “LILITH” Digital Photography art

2024                    Galerie Diderot Chateau Orquevaux France, permanent collection, “INTO THE HOLE” & “YOUR LIFE 

                                           IS A SOAP OPERA”, Digital Photography Art

2023                    Blank White Box Gallery, “Remembrance”, group exhibit Oct 27-29th

                                           “GINGER-PIE”, 3d sculpture, ceramic, wood, wire, plastic, foam, fabric, paint

2023                    Norma Hertzog Community Center, “ArtVenture 2023” - Oct 27- Nov 6th

                                            “VIRGIN DE GUADALUPE 3000” and “MASKED BALL”, Digital Photography art

2023                    Ontario Museum of History and Art, “Dia De Los Muertos-Recuerdos De Sabores” Oct 5- Nov 19th

                                           “COOKING EQUALS LOVE”- mixed media painting

2023                    The Makery, “Enter The Goddess” 260 S. Los Angeles St. – group exhibit

                                           “WORSHIP 1.0”, Digital Photography Art

                                           “WHEN NIGHT FALLS”, Digital Photography Art

2023                    Brand Library and Art Center, “Brand 51”, Annual National Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper July-

                                            September “WHO AM I?”

2023                    WeHo Library, “Angelic Troublemakers” group exhibit June-August, “Bela Lugosi’s Dead”

2023                    Checker Hall Lodge, “Artapalooza”-Pop up Gallery, group exhibit- asst prints & canvas April - May

2023                    Audubon Center at Debs Park, “Within/Without: Windows to an Inclusive Future – 46” x 66” -multi-                                               media 3d outdoor installation May - June

2023                    “Colorium” Group Exhibit and Publication

                                           “SILVER SCREEN GODDESS-RED”, Digital Photography Art, group exhibit

2023                    Creative Arts Group, “ART IN BLOOM” 108 N. Baldwin Ave Sierra Madre - group exhibit March

                                           “MASK BALL”

2023                    20th Century Women’s Club 120 yr celebration, “BRA VADO”- Feb 23-March 5

                                           “SIGN OF THE TIMES” Multimedia painting

2023                    Ontario Museum of History and Art, “WE THE PEOPLE”- Feb 2-April 16

                                           “ERACE-ISM” Video collaboration

2023                    Art Lab, 1306 Abbot Kinney Blvd Santa Monica, Ca 90291- group exhibit

                                           “TEA PARTY” - “FLOW” - “WHO AM I?” - “DINNER PARTY” - “JOY” - “INTERFACE 5.0”

2023                    Casa Del Arte, Costa d’En Brossa 4B, Palma Spain

                                           “VIRGIN DE GUADALUPE 3000” – Digital Photography Art, group exhibit

2023                    Lelie Galerji, Leliegracht 16, 1015 BW Amsterdam, Netherlands

                                           “A COLD FLAME” - Digital Photography Art, group exhibit

2023                    Thomson Fine Art Gallery, Schmidgasse, 4 6300 Zug, Switzerland

                                           “ALTERNATE REALITY” – Digital Photography Art, group exhibit

2022                    Gateway to Nature Center at El Pueblo DTLA, “SHADE IN L.A.” –PRICKLY PEAR”- 3D art

2022                    The Nature of Cities, online exhibit “Shade In L.A.” - “PRICKLY PEAR”- 3D art

2022                    Guerrero St btw Duncan & Ave 28 in San Francisco,“SOWING THE SEEDS OF HOPE”- 44’ x 6’ Mural

2022                    Ave 50 Studio, “Discovery Tour” - group exhibit – asst pieces of 2d and 3d art

2022                    Ave 50 Studio, “Shade In L.A.” - outdoor installation group exhibit – “PRICKLY PEAR”- 3D art

2022                    Figueroa St. btw Ave 55- 60, “Good Fences” K Rail Art Installation, 16 select artists

                                           “DIA DE LOS MUERTOS” – 234” x 29” – Digital Photography Art

2021                    La Tierra de La Culebra Art Park, “Fools For Hope”, 12 artists group exhibit- May 22 - June 19th 2021

                                    “BOUNTIFUL “– 6.5” x 8.5” Digital Photography

                             Ave 50 Studio, “What A Gift” – Group exhibit - Nov 2021- Jan 2022

                                           Art installation and dance performance of “Pandora’s Box”

2015                    Manifesto Café, “LOVE - IS”, Solo photography exhibit and an interactive painting piece.

                                    “LOVE- IS” Acrylic on stretched canvas, 73” x 33.5”

2014                    Building Bridges Art Exchange

                                    “Feminine Mystique”, 5 artists Group Show, “Woman Series”

2013                    Studio M, “Evolution”, Solo exhibit of painting, costume pieces & live models from my paintings

2012                    Venice Spring Fling 2012 - Group exhibit, Photographs and Paintings

PUBLISHED POEMS:

L.A. Art News/Poets Place

http://laartnews.com/poetsplace

2020 -2025     

                                           

PUBLISHED ART:

2025

City of L.A. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, May Program guide

City of L.A. LGBTHM Heritage Month, June Program guide

City of Los Angeles Heritage Month Celebrations - Department of Cultural Affairs (lacity.gov)

2020- 2024

City of L.A. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, May Program guide

City of L.A. LGBTHM Heritage Month, June Program guide

City of L.A. Latino Heritage Month, July Program guide

https://culturela.org/programs-and-initiatives/dca-publications/​

​

Dance Performances

Youtube links for Dance Performances:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2rbn1qZGvy7dZgxpZyDtpTz1kPCp7htp&si=LERLPBA8GI-d5_DV

​
      2025

• What Do You See, What Do You Hear? The Sequel, "Connect"​

     2024 

• Leap Off The Page, "The Journey"

• What Do You See, What Do You Hear? 

• WeHo Pride Festival, “Bela Lugosi’s Dead”      

• Audubon Center, “Within/Without: Windows to an Inclusive Future – Interpretive dance     

      2023

• SHAPES OF SPRING 2023 – group dance performance  

• Genesis Studios – Live improv performance   

      2022

• BAY AREA INTERNATIONAL DEAF DANCE FESTIVAL – Celebration dance performance    

• DEAF NATION – Las Vegas Deaf convention – 3 dance performances  

• SHADE IN L.A. Opening exhibit performance at Ave 50 Studio 

• A Very Special Art Day Community Festival. At the Music Center  

• James Armstrong Theater – Celebration

• Ahiah Spirtual Center – A Dancing Celebration of the Worlds Signs

      2021

• WHAT  A GIFT – Exhibit at Ave 50 Studio 

• FOOLS FOR HOPE- Exhibit at La Tierra De La Culebra Art Park  

      2016- 2021

• Dance garden Dance Studio, Spring and Winter Performances 

​

Producer/Festivals - Live Events​​​​​

• 2025

• Department of Cultural Affair and The Arroyo Arts Collective Grant recipient, Artistic Director/Curator of "WHAT       DO YOU SEE, WHAT DO YOU HEAR?" THE SEQUEL, A live dance & music event at the Center for the Arts Eagle Rock​

• 2024- Department of Cultural Affair and The Arroyo Arts Collective Grant recipient Artistic Director/Curator of WHAT DO YOU SEE, WHAT DO YOU HEAR? Urban Meets Nature, Dance & music event at the Audubon Center at Deb’s Park

• Eastside Arts Initiative grant recipient, Artistic Director and Creator for, “LEAP OFF THE PAGE! Be the Hero in Your Own Story” A creative workshop series that brings people together and ends with a exhibit for all participants in the art program. 

• January 27th 2017 - Open Floor Improv Experiment

• February 8th 2014 - Luscious, Music Art, Live Body paint Art Event 

Luscious Productions | Los Angeles CA | Facebook

Luscious Productions (notjusttheordinary.wixsite.com)

https://www.facebookcom/lusciousproduction/posts/10152113453948467

• June 15th 2013 - Evolution

Studio M, 7110 Laurel Cyn Blvd North Hollywood, Ca 91605

(1) EVOLUTION, Music and Art! | Facebook

• Spring Festival April 28th 2012 - Santa Rosa Charter Academy 3838 Eagle Rock Blvd 90065

Home | strosasfestival2012 (notjusttheordinary.wixsite.com)

Spring Festival April 9th  2011 - Santa Rosa Charter Academy 3838 Eagle Rock Blvd 9006​

​

Artist Residency

June 3-30th-2024

• Chateau Orquevaux, 18 Grande Rue Orquevaux France 52700

Artwork created during residency:

Digital Photography Art:

Series:                   

MIRROR MIRROR  -  ASCENSION  -  MOTHER OF CREATION  -  REBORN  -  KRUCIAL THE KLOWN   

NOT ONE OF US   -  STILL LIFE     -  STRANGER THINGS         -  DRYAD

Paintings:          

“INSPIRED” - 74” h x 44” w – Mixed Media-Acrylic and feathers on Sheer Chiffon

            “Positive Body Image” -painted wearable art, ballroom gown and gloves     

Poems:           

“IT’S ONLY NUMBERS”         “WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED?”          “AN ARTIST”  

Dances:

ORQUEVAUX                                               

• In front of wood sculpture on building by Chateau Orqeuvaux, Soundtrax: STREET DOG by Mgawqgt

• Dance at the Gardeners House, Soundtrax: FIX YOU by Canyon City

• Dance in the stone garage, Soundtrax: KILL FOR YOUR LOVEby Labrinth

• Dance at Odell’s roof patio, Soundtrax: UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN by Hermanos Guttierrez

• Dance at Eglise Saint Andre, Soundtrax: SWEAT by RY X

• Dance in front of an old wood bench, Soundtarx: AMELIE by Andre Vanzo

• Dance in weeds in front of wood garage, Soundtrax: DIVINE PASTTIME by Radhe Krishna

• Dance at Eglise  Saint Andre, Soundtrax: SHAHMARAN by Sevdaliza

 

PARIS- MONTMARTE- SACRE COEUR

• Live performance dance at Sacre Coeur

Soundtrax: PYTHIA by Amanati

​

​

​