My way of painting has changed over the years with a distinctive Shanghainese soul in the selection of themes.

As a Shanghainese in Europe, it was natural and part of myself, that my art would continue to have Shanghainese themes in it. Especially as the increased distance in time and space from the town where I grew up made me reappreciate the beauty of Shanghai. When I lived there as a child, one of my strongest impressions was walking through the elegant French area, looking at the European style buildings from the thirties, and wondering about the stories behind them. When I left Shanghai, the city was rapidly changing into just another modern metropole, and I thought my feelings for this city would diminish quickly. However, from the distance of Europe I found out that you can never forget the feelings for your home town, be they good or bad. I have the feeling I only now fully understand Shanghai, and that it will always be alive in me. In Europe, I am finally able to turn these strong inner feelings about Shanghai into my art.

---

In my current art style, all these influences and emotions come together. The emotions and memories of Shanghai, and the influences of movies and music. The amalgation of all these influences has led to a very personal art style, which we call Shanghai expressionism. I do not want to give up the fine art of Chinese ink though. Not only do I have the right technique, based on long education, but I enjoy doing it. The influences are similar to the ones in my oil paintings, and therefore I consider these black and white Chinese ink drawings to be part of the Shanghai Expressionism style as well. I only hope that I can find that there is sufficient interest in Europe for this type of very Asian art

---