My first encounter with ink painting dates back to the second year of university. Koon Wai-bong was our tutor then, and he saw potential in my experimental ink works. From there, I took up ink painting as my primary creative medium. In fact, I have always been fond of water-based materials. Their fluid nature perfectly expresses the stream of personal emotions and thoughts that my works tend to originate from. From inner self to outer environment, I try to capture the chaos and transformations of our souls and surroundings.

Usually I try to sort out my thoughts best as I can, come up with a general direction or framework, before putting paintbrush to paper. This is to ensure ideas and layers are shown in the work. During the painting process, however, I follow my heart and instinct. Therefore, it is a combination of both.

Some years ago, when I went back to Mainland China to visit my relatives, I was introduced to the concept of existentialism through Kenzaburō Ōe’s Under the Tree of Mine. From then on I started to explore this concept in my works. Philosophy and the arts are similar in that there are no standard answers and both are open to interpretations. In my opinion, life is a constant search for answers. But it is not the attainment of answers that is important, but rather the journey of pursuit that matters.

To me, art is not about pursuing perfection, but providing food for thought and a framework that encourages dialogue, as well as creating resonance. My works, just like people in general, are full of rugged edges. It is within these ups and downs or uncertainties of life that one would discover pleasant surprises.