NELSON YUEN
Posted: July 28th, 2023
NELSON YUEN Aug. 22, 1949 ~ Jul. 21, 2023 Artist, creator, survivor, conversationalist, eccentric, self-professed tantric prairie guru with a quest for knowledge and intellect, Nelson Yuen never shied away from having the friendliest, funniest conversation, getting riled up at an intense debate on taboo subjects, or spinning a story that would be etched on you forever. Nelson’s legacy is twofold. He left a legacy of art: paintings, lithographs, sculptures in both marble and wood – exceptional material objects to be treasured and admired. He has also left each of us with an intangible love for the unique and uncanny. His pursuit to better understand our shared existence has rubbed off on all who have crossed his path. First-born to a laundry family in Vancouver’s Chinatown, Nelson fervently studied the dictionary and any book he could get his hands on while forging his studies at Strathcona Elementary and Britannia High School. Nelson embraced the artist in him and he was a trailblazer in the Fine Arts community by obtaining an undergraduate degree from the University of British Columbia, followed by an MFA from the University of Regina, one of the first Chinese Canadians to choose such a path. After some years concentrating solely on his art in Vancouver, he chose to share his knowledge by becoming a professor at Okanagan College in Kelowna, and then moving to Medicine Hat, achieving full-time ongoing faculty in the Visual Communications department at Medicine Hat College. Nelson found great satisfaction in helping students craft their own art, many of them becoming friends and confidants over his long teaching career. Nelson’s time at Medicine Hat College was also shaped by strong friendships with faculty and his sabbatical year in Thailand. A great adventurer, Nelson was always jetting off to some foreign, unheard-of-destination. Along the way, there were many happenstance encounters with others to swap tales, all the while whittling away on a piece of wood or hacking on a chunk of marble. Nelson will be sadly missed by many family and friends alike but we are certain he is creating new friendships, new memories, and expressive pieces wherever his next destination might be… condolences@saamis.com
I’m truly sorry for having found out of his passing…having had him teach me at Medicine Hat College we became the best of friends. He taught me lithography and painting. Nelson was so much fun and was the biggest sweetheart, always putting everyone’s needs before his own. He was a mentor, a confidant. How we hugged when he found our he was cancer free at that time of me graduating in 2006. I will miss his smile and kind words. I will always treasure the letter he wrote me in reference to my oil paintings. He motivated me greatly and I will forever paint in his honor. I love you Nelson and may you now be at Peace dear friend.