9. Selected works (2015-2017)

In the decade preceding 2015, I had become convinced that conventional painting was dead. However, my feelings abruptly changed when realising that an innate sense of creativity had been significantly influencing my work as a teacher/trainer and other aspects of my life over the years. This realisation ultimately led to a renewed interest in creating. I also realised that “creativity” encompassed the ability to utilise available resources to produce unique objects. Jokingly, I would proclaim to friends that painting was not dead until there was no one left (in the world) to use the medium to churn out unique work.

I wanted to create, and paints, paper, and canvas were readily available. So, I started painting and using my iPad 2 as a drawing tool. I even participated in a friend’s traditional Chinese painting class. The years of absence were obvious, a little frustrating and embarrassing, but I was determined to catch the last train to “Creativeville” and managed to make relatively quick progress.

Posting my work on the popular Chinese social media platform, “WeChat,” led to opportunities to connect with other artists and teaching opportunities related to drawing and painting. I even had a small exhibition in a gallery in Shenzhen.