Poon Tai To

Born in China and attended the Hong Kong School for the Deaf; showed art aptitude at an early age and began art studies at age 5 under a famous Chinese artist. With his family, emigrated to the U.S. in 1971, where with his hearing brother he opened a studio in Monterey Park, CA, mostly executing landscapes in traditional Chinese style. Exhibited widely in California and the Southwest and won several awards. Also did freelance work for a greeting card company and as a designer for a textile company. In the U.S., he adopted the "American" name of Michael Poon. His younger sister Poon Wing Yee (q.v.) was also deaf.