About Mason Mansung Kang
Sunlit California landscapes, painted after 35 years in industry
Mason Mansung Kang is a Korean-American painter born in South Korea.
Mason Mansung Kang at a glance
- Born: South Korea
- Nationality: Korean-American
- Training: BS in Chemistry Education, Seoul National University (1975); MFA in Painting, Academy of Art University, San Francisco (2016)
- Known for: Sunlit landscapes and nature scenes
- Style/Medium: Oil painting, including plein air work
- Awards: Best Landscape, 6th Annual Plein Air Salon; Winner Emerging Artist, Artmuse Contest (2016)
- Also: Finalist in the ARC Salon Competition (13th and 14th editions)
- Official website: masonkang.com
“I think the world we live in is truly a beautiful place. Every natural entity is different and unique and this diversity makes the world beautiful.”
He recieved a BS Degree in Chemistry Education from Seoul National University in 1975 and worked for petroleum and construction industries for 35 years before retiring in 2012. After retirement, he pursued his long-time dream to paint, studying at the Graduate School of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where he obtained his MFA in Painting in 2016. He also participated in a fine art study abroad program in Florence, Italy, in 2015, gaining valuable plein air painting experience.
- Born and grew up in South Korea.
- Worked 35 years in petroleum and construction.
- Earned MFA in Painting from Academy of Art University in 2016.
- Prefers oil painting for its depth and versatility.
- Has had six group and three solo exhibitions.
He likes scenes of nature with harmonious light and shadows, especially in California’s sunny weather. He strives to capture the subtle colors and sensations he feels on site, enhancing colors often unnoticed by untrained eyes. He uses oil as his preferred medium due to its depth and great versatillity.
He has been listed as a Finalist in the Landscape Category of both the 13th and 14th international ARC Salon Competition. He also won the Best Landscape award in the 6th Annual Plein Air Salon Competition for his painting “On the Hill” and was selected as the Winner Emerging Artist of the Artmuse Contest in 2016. He hopes his works can present viewers with a sublime sense of warmth, happiness, and contentment.
He realizes that nature always presents something beautiful that deserves painting. He may never be fully satisfied with his work, but he will continue to embrace the struggle and live his life this way for the rest of his years. He wants to share the beauty of the world through his art.
You can see more of Mason Mansung Kang’s landscape paintings on his website.