MaiYap is an award-winning Asian Latina multidisciplinary artist and art instructor. Her work emphasizes social and environmental awareness. A master colorist with 25 years of experience, she paints in a variety of techniques, ranging from realistic flowers done in traditional brush work to landscapes and abstracts done exclusively with palette knives. Her latest installation projects delve into her mix-identity in terms of reproductive justice and discrimination towards Asian Americans. She is the founder of Palette Knife Artists of Miami. She has a degree in Advertising and Graphic Design from the University of Georgia. Her work has been exhibited in more than 100 galleries, museums and fairs in the United States, Panamá, Costa Rica, Korea, Morocco and China. Among her most recent awards are first prize at Wynwood Biennial 2020, first prize at the NLAPW Biennial in Washington, DC, and finalist at the Norwegian Cruise Line & Nader Museum Award. In 2021 She was chosen as a juror for prestigious Roberto Lewis national art contest in Panama. Her work is on permanent collection at The University of Miami, Florida International University, St Thomas University, Museo de Arte El Salvador and the Haegeumgang Museum in South Korea, among others. A native of Panamá, she works and resides with her family in Miami, Florida.
