My prints explore my cultural identity, childhood, and ancestral relationships. I am inspired by my experience growing up a second generation Chinese American, a personal mythology, Chinese symbolism and numerology, and the Dutch Vanitas painting genre. In my prints, I incorporate my personal narrative but obscure the meaning by referencing symbolism and numerology to create visually complex compositions. I want viewers to appreciate the aesthetic of my prints and form their own conclusions about their purposes. This way, my art can be open to interpretation and still have layers of meaning privy only to those with specific knowledge or background.

Mitchell Poon began printmaking after studying lithography at Cornell University, where he received his BA. He has since studied at other institutions such as the Manhattan Graphics Center and the School of Visual Arts. His art has been exhibited locally and nationally, including at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum, Ink Shop Printmaking Center, and the Artlink Contemporary Gallery.