MGARTS CENTER Gin Foon Mark

Contact: Lorrie Link
Maple Grove Arts Center
612-418-0114
LLink@slumberland.com
www.maplegroveartscenter.org
MEDIA ADVISORY
January 3, 2012
Maple Grove Arts Center presents
Fung Fu Master Gin Foon Mark, Chinese water painting.
The event will be held at the Maple Grove Arts Center.
What: The Maple Grove Arts Center is happy to announce a “featured artist” show and
reception to be held at the Maple Grove Arts Center. Joining us is Chinese Watercolorist, Kun Fu
Chi Kung and Acupuncture instructor, Master Gin Foon Mark. The reception January 27, 6:30 to
9:00 p.m. Guests will be free to visit with the artist to learn more about their art and purchase
original artwork. Master Gin Foon Mark’s art will be on display January 9-31. The Maple Grove
Arts Center is open Mondays 1:00-4:00 p.m., Thursdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Thursdays
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. please check website for more open Gallery hours.
This event is FREE and the public is invited to attend.
When:
January 27, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Where:
7916 Main Street North, Maple Grove, MN 55369, 763-612-418-0114
Who:
Chinese water painting artist: Master Gin Foon Mark
Celebrate the Chinese New Year with a Lion Dance performance; this event will feature
calligraphy and watercolor art created by Master Gin Foon Mark. Don’t miss this truly rare
opportunity to witness the treasures of this great man.
Master Gin Foon Mark has been teaching Kung Fu for more than fifty years. In 1947 he began
teaching in Chinatown, New York, when some trade associations requested that he instruct their
young members. He has had Kwoons in New York, Philadelphia and Minneapolis. In
Philadephia, he had classes in a Y.M.C.A. and at Temple University and also taught self-defense
to the police. He is one of the few living people who were trained in monasteries when they were
strongholds of Kung Fu.
The fifth Fung Fu Master, Gin Foon Mark, came from a family of four generations of Kung Fu
experts. His Kung Fu studies began at the age of five under his uncles and grandfather. At the age
of nine he was admitted to the Chun San Shaolin Temple and studied with the famous monk Ki
Fut Sai. He received instruction in Si Lum, White Crane, Eagle Claw, Leopard and Tiger. He also
studied Tiger Claw in the Hoi Jung Temple, Praying Mantis in the Jook Lum Monastery and Moo
Gai, a martial form of Qigong similar to Tai Chi. In these monasteries, Master Mark was
schooled in Ming Kung, self-defense and healing arts; Shin Kung, spirit Kung Fu; Chi Kung, the
use of internal power for martial arts and health. This included Iron Shirt, Iron Palm, Cotton Palm
and Dim Mak. He continued his studies of Praying Mantis in the United States under Lum Wing
Fay for ten more years. When Master Lum retired, he designated Mark to be his successor in
accordance with established tradition. Master Mark thought so highly of Praying Mantis that he
decided to devote his life to only teaching this system even though he was an expert in other
systems.
Gin Foon Mark was one of the first Masters to openly teach Kung Fu to occidentals. He was
featured on Prism television and the subject of an educational film "Kung Fu Master". Since he
was famous, he was selected to appear on "You Asked for It". This television program depicted
the reunion of Master Mark and his teacher, Master Lum. Sifu Mark has also been featured on
Prism television. Master Mark's home state, Minnesota, considered him such a noteworthy figure
that he was elected to their Living History Museum. In 1982, master Mark was selected for the
World Master's Symposium at Temple University.
Bruce Lee was one of Master Gin Foon Mark's students. He was so impressed with the
effectiveness of Praying Mantis in combat, that he adopted many of its principles in creating Jeet
Kune Do.
In 1979 Master Mark went back to China. During his stay he studied Six Sounds Qigong under a
famous Tai Chi and Qigong Master, simply known as "Old Master", in Beijing.
When Master Mark was a small boy in the monasteries he watched his teachers painting and also
received lessons. Since drawing materials were hard to get and expensive, he practiced in the
sand with bamboo for a brush, frequently in a horse stance held for a long time. He painted more
and more as he grew older and is now an outstanding Chinese painter.
Additional Information:
The Maple Grove Arts Center is a non-profit community arts initiative serving the northwest
suburbs of the Minneapolis metropolitan area. “Our mission is to create relationships among
artists and share in a fun and unique experience within the community in which they live and
work. Providing the artists with useful tools to grow their name, bring awareness of the visual
arts, and promote the Community’s unique art culture. We also seek to educate the public and
provide them with quality art programming for their entertainment and enjoyment.” For more
information go to: www.maplegroveartscenter.org
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