About Karen Aruba Art
Founded by illustrator Karen Aruba in 2016, Karen Aruba Art is an art brand representing a unique fusion of East and West. With roots in a 50-year family legacy of Hong Kong mahjong craftsmanship, the brand’s popular narrative, ‘A Mahjong Story’, is an intimate tale intricately linked to Hong Kong art and culture, showcasing how the city’s traditional mahjong craftsmanship has integrated with artistry.
The story connects three generations: from a renowned mahjong factory established by the grandfather, to the father Master Ricky Cheung’s expertise as one of Hong Kong’s last traditional mahjong craftsmen, to the artist Karen’s modern artistic vision.
‘The Art of Mahjong Craft’ studio setup in 2020 represents the rebirth of Hong Kong’s mahjong craftsmanship through this father-daughter collaboration. By bringing local heritage to the international stage, they transform traditional hand-carved techniques into contemporary art, fostering global recognition while preserving intangible cultural heritage.
‘Preserve Tradition, Inspire Tomorrow’ – Our art value
Project Awards (partial list)
- Central Market Digital Print Decoration, The 32th Hong Kong Print Award, Bronze Award 2021
- Golden Marker Mark, Mahjong with Golden Touch, The 32th Hong Kong Print Award, Bronze Award 2021
- Illustrated Product ‘Open the table’, The 31st Hong Kong Prints Award Home Décor Category 2019, Champion
- Take2 Tote Bag Project, Design Intelligence Award (DIA) 2019, Silver Award
- Travel Mahjong City, The 30th Edition of Hong Kong Prints Awards (Merit), Merit
- Travel Mahjong City, Hong Kong Smart Design Award 2018, Judge Award
Exhibition List
- WereldMusuem’s Made in China Exhibition, Rotterdam & Amsterdam, 2024-2026
- Beyond Borders of Mahjong Exhibition, FabCafe Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2024
- Exploring Innate Aesthetics of Mahjong Art Story, Temple Mall, Hong Kong, 2022
- Beyond Borders of Mahjong Exhibition, Hong Kong, 2022
- London Craft Week, UK, 2022
- Wanderlust in Mahjong Craftsmanship Exhibition, JCCAC, Hong Kong, 2021
- Travelling with Mahjong Art Exhibition, Hong Kong Youth Square, 2020
- Aruba Art Fair, Aruba, 2019
- Ambiente German Design Fair, German, 2019
- Wanderlust in Chinese Communities, PMQ Solo Exhibition, Hong Kong, 2019
About Karen Aruba
Illustrator Karen Aruba (Karen Cheung) is a self-taught illustrator based in Hong Kong specializing in travel and cultural themes. With a passion for art, she derives inspiration from everything she encounters, incorporating themes of energy, peace, hope and happiness. Beyond illustration, Karen is an accomplished event planning specialist, collaborating with many international brands, trade fair organisers, corporations, associations, and NGOs.
Her art brand, ‘Karen Aruba Art,’ established in 2016, is inspired by her childhood year in Aruba with her maternal mother’s family. This tiny Caribbean island, known as ‘One Happy Island,’ influenced her cheerful, creative and artistic perspective until today.
In 2018, Karen pioneered a revolutionary approach to mahjong artistry through her ‘Mahjong Story’ illustrations. This innovative father-daughter collaboration blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, breathing new life into the vanishing art of hand-carved mahjong tiles. Her work has earned international recognition through numerous awards and exhibitions across Asia, Europe, the US, and Aruba, establishing her as a change agent in preserving hand-carved mahjong cultural heritage through art.
About Ricky Cheung
Having over 50 years hand-carved mahjong tile experience, master Ricky Cheung started learning hand-carved tiles from his parent when he aged 13. He was not only a professional mahjong craftsman but also an innovator to develop machinery to support his father’s ‘Fuk Hing Lung Mahjong Factory’ in 1970-2000s. Although the business was still not be able to sustain until 2009, the spirit of the mahjong craftsmanship stays alive. Cheung retired in 2018 and is now being a volunteer fully engaged with artistic and mahjong craftmanship inspired by her daughter, Karen with a strong commitment as sustainability of hand-carving mahjong tiles with higher value in global connection.
