ARTIST'S STATEMENT

At the end of the nineteenth century, several revolutionary-minded young Chinese artists attempted to create a "New National Painting" style reflecting the impending cultural and political changes. From other cultures, they brought innovative ideas, new subjects, and techniques such as fixed perspective, shading light effects and strong unconventional colors. They then added their own creative energy, bringing a new richness and depth to the traditional art forms—creating the Lingnan school of Chinese brush painting. In the past twenty-five years, my own search for inspiration has led me to extend my work beyond the traditions of the Lingnan school, creating a style of Chinese brush painting which is distinctly my own.

I’ve tried to move beyond tradition to create new images, composition and mood—to introduce a sense of freedom and life and harmony, free from the rules and constraints of the past. I stress mood and feeling in my paintings, achieved through the harmony of colours in the background. I paint my feelings and allow the appreciative eye to interpret my works according to what it sees. Others may not see my work as I intend, but that’s fine. Reading a painting is personal.

I paint mostly from memory. I use my mind like a camera. I seek inspiration everywhere...on my travels, in the works of other artists, and especially in nature. I dream about the subject and the scenery in my mind. Then the driving force of inspiration pushes me to put that dream onto paper. Many of my paintings contain birds. To me they symbolize the essence of life—beauty, harmony, and freedom. And of course, romance. When I look at a bird in flight—free to go wherever it wants—dreaming is easy. Recently I find myself moving toward the contemporary...Chinese painting should not be just plum blossoms, bamboo, and mountains. Contemporary painting gives me the chance to explore new directions and to expose myself to a new world where what matters is image and emotions, not just subject. But even then, I blend East and West: the delicacy of Chinese brush painting with the excitement of Western art.

I often experiment with new methods and media—acrylics, oils, even newspapers and sponges. I like to try new things – new subjects, new techniques. But I always paint the way I want. I believe in following my inspiration, wherever it leads—a personal, never-ending task. I’m always somewhere but I never arrive.

At the end of the nineteenth century, several revolutionary-minded young Chinese artists attempted to create a "New National Painting" style reflecting the impending cultural and political changes. From other cultures, they brought innovative ideas, new subjects, and techniques such as fixed perspective, shading light effects and strong unconventional