About Roxann

Roxann Yuen is a first-generation Canadian artist of Jamaican German descent whose multicultural heritage and upbringing deeply inform her creative practice. Raised in Calgary, Alberta, by a community of strong Jamaican mothers, Roxann's work celebrates resilience and joy through her vivid use of color and a robust foundation in drawing. She draws on Black histories to construct narratives rooted in Black joy, creating works that are both deeply personal and profoundly impactful. Her painting and printmaking practice bridges abstraction and representation, drawing on Afrofuturism, magical realism, and inspiration from her folk archives. A recent graduate with distinction from the Alberta University of the Arts (Bachelor of Fine Arts), Roxann has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Louise McKinney Scholarship, Alberta University of the Arts Award of Excellence, and the Ignac and Karla Herskovic Memorial Scholarship. Her work has been exhibited in several group shows, including at Truck Contemporary Art Gallery, Loft 112, and the Alberta University of the Arts.

CV

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts Drawing & Print Media | Graduated with Distinction | Alberta University of the Arts | Calgary, AB

Exhibitions

2025

Detours: Contextural Residency Exhibition | Lacey Shurmer, Roxann Yuen | AUArts | Calgary, AB

Nooks & Crannies Festival | Lacey Shurmer, Craig Moser, Roxann Yuen | Okotoks, AB

Other Horizons: SMFA x AUARTS Print and Textile Exchange Exhibition | Boston MA

2024

Portals, the Coven Gallery | Alberta University of the Arts | Calgary, AB

The Winter Lodge, Gallery 371 | Lacey Shurmer, Roxann Yuen | Alberta University of the Arts | Calgary, AB

The Gallery of Bodies, Gallery Crawl | Alberta University of the Arts | Calgary, AB

Space is a Place (we’re trying to get to): Interactive installation, Gallery Crawl | Lacey Shurmer, Craig Moser, Roxann Yuen | Alberta University of the Arts | Calgary, AB

2023

Group show: The Whole Kit & Caboodle | Truck Gallery | Calgary, AB

FINA Show | Alberta University of the Arts | Calgary, AB

Fourth-year Drawing Exhibition | Alberta University of the Arts | Calgary, AB

The Nap Portal: An Interactive Rest Space, Gallery Crawl | Lacey Shurmer, Craig Moser, Roxann Yuen | Alberta University of the Arts | Calgary, AB

Integral Space | Alberta University of the Arts | Calgary, AB

2022

11th Annual President’s Student Art, Craft, Design Exhibition | Alberta University of the Arts | Calgary, AB

People’s Poetry Festival | Loft 112 | Calgary, AB

2021

Nooks and Crannies Festival | Lacey Shurmer, Craig Moser, Roxann Yuen | Okotoks, AB

Boxed Stories Gallery II | Loft 112 | Calgary, AB

2021 | 2020

10th Annual President’s Exhibition | Alberta University of the Arts | Calgary, AB

2019

First Year Show | Alberta University of the Arts | Calgary, AB

Professional Experiences

2024

Co-director of the Coven Gallery | Calgary AB

Co-Curator of the Winter Lodge Exhibit | Calgary, AB

Curator and lead performer | Gallery Crawl| Calgary, AB

2023

Curator and lead performer | Gallery Crawl | Calgary, AB

2022 

Project Lead & Artist | Cooking up Community Cookbook | Calgary, AB

2021 

Mural painter | Black Joy Mural | Calgary, AB

Facilitating Artist | Postcards for Community workshop at The Alex | Calgary, AB

Awards

2024

Louise McKinney Scholarship

Ignac and Karla Herskovic Memorial Scholarship

President’s Honour Roll

2023

President’s Honour Roll

Ignac and Karla Herskovic Memorial Scholarship

2023

Alberta University of the Arts Award of Excellence

2022

Alberta University of the Arts Award of Excellence

2021

GFL- Greater Forest Lawn Community Grant | Calgary AB

2019

Orinda Dean Scholarship

 

Publications

2024

Lacey Grey, Experiments and Reflections, Spotify: Interview w/ Roxann Yuen. https://open.spotify.com/episode/3QgYP26fL4gDK5Gg23TVTC?si=803e5d08c27f4e86

2016

Marie-Ève DuSablon, A Women's Art Museum in Alberta, ici alberta Radio-Canada http://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/809450/musee-femme-art-edmonton-artistes .

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing | Graduated with Distinction | May 2025 | Alberta University of the Arts, Calgary, AB