Bio & Resume
Maria Ying-May Cheung was born and raised in Hong Kong. In 2022, Maria obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art, with distinction, from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT), Australia, where she received the Dean's List Award and the 1a Space Award for her achievements. In 2020, she completed her Higher Diploma in Fine Arts at the Hong Kong Art School, passed with distinction, where she was recognized with the Outstanding Artwork Award and the Academic Performance Award. Maria was also honored with the Outstanding Performance Scholarship by the Hong Kong Education Bureau. Her photographs have been exhibited in prestigious venues, including the Helena May (2023), Pao Galleries (2023, 2022), Yrellag Gallery (2022), Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (2021), and The Gallery of Hong Kong Art School (2021, 2020). Additionally, she has been selected for an art residency and open studio at 1a Space (2023).
Since completing her studies, Maria has remained actively involved in the art field, continuing to explore and create art while also taking on roles such as international photo festival director for the Hong Kong International Photo Festival (2024), research project administrator/editor (2024), photography class tutor for a secondary school and an international school (2023-2024), and exhibition project manager (2022-2023).
Education
Jan 2020 – Dec 2022: Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art), Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT), Australia (co-presented with Hong Kong Art School) – Passed with Distinction.
Sep 2018 – Jul 2020: Higher Diploma in Fine Art, Hong Kong Art School, Hong Kong – Passed with Distinction.
Awards
2023: Dean’s List Award, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT).
2023: 1a Space Award, 1a Space.
2022: Outstanding Performance Scholarship for Academic Year 2021/22, Hong Kong Education Bureau.
2020: Academic Performance Award, Hong Kong Art School.
2020: Outstanding Artwork Award, Hong Kong Art School.
Exhibitions
Aug – Sep 2024: 'Beyond Chaos' Exhibition, The Gallery of Hong Kong Art School, Hong Kong Art Centre, Hong Kong
Nov 2023: ‘Sanctuary’ Ficus Photo Exhibition, The Helena May, Garden Road, Hong Kong.
Oct – Nov 2023: Art Residency and Open Studio, 1a Space, Cattle Depot, Kowloon.
Oct – Nov 2023: The Collectible Art Fair, Pao Galleries, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong.
Jul 2023: ‘Umarell’ Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) Graduate Exhibition, Pao Galleries, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong.
Aug 2022: ‘Another Round’ Re-imagining COVID-19 Exhibition, Pao Galleries, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong.
Jun – Jul 2022: ‘Retain . Remain’ Photography & Ceramics Duo Exhibition, Yrellag Gallery, Central, Hong Kong.
Oct 2021: ‘Imagery & Objecthood’, Fine Art Asia 2021, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong.
Dec 2020 - Jan 2021: ‘Girls on Film’ Photography Exhibition, The Gallery of Hong Kong Art School, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong.
Art-related Careers
Jan 2024 – May 2024: Festival Director of Hong Kong International Photo Festival (HKIPF). Led and provided strategic direction for the organization, including grant applications, financial management, partnership development, project initiatives, marketing activation, public relations, human resources, and daily operations.
Oct 2023 – May 2024: Tutor for a photography class at Cheung Chau
Government Secondary School. The syllabus covers topics such as digital camera
introduction, composition, portrait photography, macro photography, light and
shadow, photo editing and enhancement.
Mar 2023: Assistant Tutor for a photography workshop at Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong. The workshop covers various topics, including the creation and filming of pinhole cameras, photography with 135mm analogue cameras, darkroom techniques, film development, contact sheets printing, and photo editing.
Dec 2022 – Jul 2023: Project Manager for the "Leaving on a Jet Plane" Exhibition at Lumenvisum, Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre. Responsibilities include coordinating with 31 artists who live in different time zones, overseeing artwork production, strategic planning of exhibition space and artwork placement.
Community Engagement
Feb 2017: "Photography with Love" (「愛 . 相聚」護老攝影留倩影 ), volunteer activity for Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui St. Matthew’s Neighbourhood Elderly Centre.