Short Biography
In 1957, I was born Chi Cheong Chan, the third son of my parents who ran a tailor shop in Hong Kong. I travelled to Toronto, Canada in 1976 to further my education when I was 19. I graduated as an illustration major in Ontario College of Art and Design in 1982. After graduation, I worked briefly as a caricature artist before I started pursuing my illustration career. I worked for most major design firms, publishing houses and magazines in Toronto. In 1990 I started my adventure as a children's book illustrator when I received a call from Groundwood Books. My first book illustration project was " Roses Sing On New Snow ",written by Paul Yee, which won The Ruth Schwartz Foundation Award. My editorial work was also recognized by The National Magazine Award and CAPIC ( Canadian Association of Photographers and Illustrators in Communication ) with several Gold and Silver medals. Some other book illustration recognition includes 2 other Ruth Schwartz Foundation Awards and 2 times short-listed of the Governor General Award. In 1996, my illustration work for Paul Yee's " Ghost Train " also lead to the Enfantaisie Prize in Switzerland and Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Medal in Ottawa,Canada. In 1998 I also started designing the Chinese Lunar Coin Series for the Royal Canadian Mint. Through the years, I have been also devoting myself in fine art. Figurative drawings and paintings has always been my passion. Besides illustrating and teaching, I also keep myself busy with personal work and creating gallery work. Harvey taught drawing, painting and illustration at Ontario College of Art and Design University, and Sheridan College. Harvey has also taught figure sculpture and drawing at The Toronto School of Art. I have moved back to Hong Kong in Dec 2012 and continue developing my career as artist, illustrator and educator.
Education
1978~82 Ontario College of Art and Design, graduated with honour
Professional Development
1986 Illustrator Workshop, St.Maartens
1986 Illustrator Workshop, University of Buffalo, New York
1990 Academy of Realistic Art, Classical drawing course with Michael John Angel
2010 Weekend with the Master, California, US
2011 Fechin Workshop, New Mexico, US
Awards
2001 Governor General’s Award, short-listed for Children’s Book Art, ‘Wild Bog Tea’.
1999 Ruth Schwartz Foundation Award for Canadian Children’s Books
1999 Gold and Silver Awards from CAPIC (Canadian Association of
Photographers and Illustrators in Communications)
1999 Communication Arts Illustration Annual
1998 Governor General’s Award, short-listed for Children’s Book Art, ‘Music for ‘The Tsar of the Sea.’
1998 Gold, Silver and two Awards of Merit from CAPIC
1997 Amelia Frances Howard Gibbon Medal from the Canadian Association of Children’s Libraries at The National Library in Ottawa
1997 Ruth Schwartz Foundation Award for Canadian Children’s Books
1996 New York, Society of Illustrators
1996 Applied Arts Annual, Gold Award
1996 Studio Magazine, Gold Award
1996 Communication Arts Illustration Annual
1994 Communication Arts Illustration Annual
1992 Ruth Schwartz Foundation Award for Children’s Book Paintings for “Roses Sing On New Snow”
1990 Studio Magazine, Silver
1990 CAPIC Annual National Show, Gold and Silver Awards
Partial Client List
Bank of Nova Scotia
Canadian Centre for Philanthropy
Canadian Opera Company
Canadian Stage Company
Canada Post
Groundwood Books
Hospital for Sick Children
Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
MacMillan Publishing Company
Michael Jordan
NIKE
Royal Canadian Mint
Second Harvest
Simon & Schuster Publishing
Stratford Festival: Cyrano de Bergerac, illustration for advertising and promotional campaign.
Trimark Financial Management
Utne Reader Magazine
American Showcase
Reader Digest Young Reader
University of Western Ontario
Art Exhibitions
One Person Exhibitions:
2012 “Lost and Found in Transition”, solo exhibition at á ce soir Bar &Café, Hong Kong
2011 “Unspoken Poetry of the Senses”, IndexG Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2011 “Face It~ More Than a Portrait Show” Bunky Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2010 “What If…”, Bending Spoon Gallery, Toronoto, Canada
2009 “Close Stranger”, Keep Six Contemporary, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2008 “Unspoken Poetry of Senses”, ArtxLife Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
1998 “Geometric Abstract”, Le Commencal, Toronto, Canada
1998 Original art from Children book “ Ghost Train “ and
Mini Restro at Mclaren Centre,Barrie,Ontario,Canada
1990 Yorkville Public Library Gallery, Toronto, Canada
Group Exhibitions:
2015 “Head Shots” Two-man show with Jose Ortega, IndexG Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2015 “Belonging“ group show, Project Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2015 “Mad Styles”, with members of Mad Stylus, Artland Gallery
2014 “Known Unknown”, Two-man show with Tomori Nagamoto, Toronto, Canada
2014 “Contemplation”, Galley M, Toronto, Canada
2013 “Macau/Hong Kong Illustrators”, Macau Art Museum, Macau
2012 “Old Neighbourhood Art Show”, TC2 Café, Hong Kong
2012 “Unworldly Reunion ”, collaborated with 30 artists, Toronto, Canada
2011 Sixty Jeans Flagship Store Grand Opening Art exhibition, Hong Kong
2010 “Button Show”, IndexG Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2010 “Birds and Bees”, Smash Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2010 “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”, Smash Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2009 “Haiku”, with Tomori Nagamoto, Smash Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2009 Fountain Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2008 “Chi Collective” Sculpture Show, TOAE, Toronto, Canada
2008 “Samurai Show~Ode to Edo “, Smash Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2007 “The Bax Bear Show”, Keep Six Contemporary, Toronto, Canada
2007 “Evolution” with Yumi Onose, IndexG Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2007 “YoYo Show”, Sweet Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2007 “Chan vs Todd~Collaboration Sk8” , Sweet Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2006 “Skateboard Show” , Montreal, Canada
2006 “1i5 Group Show”, Yves Laroche Galerie, Montreal, Canada
2006 “Spring Salon”, Toronto, Canada
2005 “1i5 Group Show”, Spin Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2004 “Erotic Show”, Lula Lounge Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2002 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Canada
2000 Open City, Toronto, Canada
1990 Open City, Toronto, Canada
2001 Art in the Annex Walking Tour, Toronto, Canada
2000 Original Art 2000, Society of Illustrators, New York, U.S.A.
1996 Neighbour Group Show, Gallery Gong, Toronto, Canada
1999 CAPIC Annual National Shows, Toronto, Canada
1994 Asian Art Festival, Theodore Museum, Toronto, Canada
1993 Guild Inn Outdoor Show, Toronto, Canada
1992 Two-man Show, Gallery Gong, Toronto, Canada
1985 The Society of Publication Designers Annual Illustration Show, New York , U.S.A.
Corporate Collections
Trimark Financial Management, Xerox, University of Western, Bank of Nova Scotia, Environment Canada, Hospital for Sick Children, Manulife Financial.
Commission:
2014 Petrified World, written by Jeff Storm, CCB Publishing
2002 Poetry for Young Readers, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Sterling Publishing.
2001 Wild Bog Tea, written by Annette LeBox. Groundwood Books
2000 The Child’s Story ,Written by Charles Dickens, Simon & Schuster
1999 ttuM, written by Teddy Jam, Groundwood Books
1998 Music for the Tsar of the Sea, retold by Celia Barker Lottridge,
Groundwood Books
1997 Three Monks, No Water, written by Ting-Xing Ye, Annick Press,
1996 Ghost Train, written by Pail Yee, Groundwood Books,
1993 The Charlotte Stories, written by Teddy Jam, Groundwood Books
1991 Roses Sing on New Snow, written by Paul Yee, Groundwood Books
For the The Royal Canadian Mint :
From 1996 to present :
The Silver Cameo Lunar Series of 12 coins
The Gold Hologram Series of 12 coins
The Dr.Bethune 60th Anniversary Memorial coin
The Good Fortune Ancient coin
The Blessing of Wealth coin
The Blessing of Good Fortune coin
The Dr.Bethune 75th Anniversary memorial coin
The Dragon Dance gold coin
Employment history :
1984~present Freelance Illustrator ( with i2i Art Representative )
2013~ present Instructor, Hong Kong Design Institute, Creative Multi-Media Illustration
2005~2011 Sessional instructor ,( 1st year Drawing, 2ndyear Media and 4th year painting )
Ontario College of Art and Design University,Toronto,Canada
2000~ 2011 Sessional instructor at Sheridan College, Oakville, Canada
( 3rd Drawing & Painting, 4thyear Illustration degree program )
2003~2011 Basic Sculpture and drawing instructor at Toronto School of Art
1984~1985 Caricature artist, Ontario Place/Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, Canada
Personal Details :
I have moved back to Hong Kong since December 2011, after living and working in Toronto, Canada for last 30 some years, as a freelance illustrator/educator/fine artist. The main reason for this change is so that I will be closer and more accessible to support my aging family members in Hong Kong. At the same time, I have found the city more fascinating as I came back more in recent years, in term of the evolution in artistic, cultural and social diversity. It’s still a place full of dynamics and energy that is ever renewing. The role of being an artist in this city, mainland China, and Asia in general is something that I am also eager to explore. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with the new generation of illustrator/artist from all around the world, who are equally curious about the new world we are tapping into, as we are open to learn on a daily basis. Digital and traditional media are equally important in my work.
*Reference Are Available On Request