Kunchok Ma

A Chinese-born artist (b.1983), exploring the intersection of Himalayan cultural symbolism and the consciousness of modern urban life. In 2025, he became an official member of the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA).

From childhood, Ma received over a decade of classical drawing and painting training before studying cinematography at the Beijing Film Academy. He later trained in directing under the renowned Taiwan film master Hou Hsiao-Hsien.

As a senior professional in the industry he worked extensively in film and advertising for years. In 2015, Ma founded Rugu Studio in Beijing, dedicated to preserving traditional darkroom techniques through large-format 8×10 film portraiture and still life. He also initiated the cultural photography project “Chinese Family” which documented many of China’s last giant four-generation households, gaining significant public attention. Since immigrating to Canada in 2022 as a visual artist, Ma has returned to traditional painting, resuming his artistic practice.

His current works merge symbolic, Himalayan-inspired imagery with reflections on contemporary human consciousness.