Having left China 32 years ago I had to confront a number of obstacles – learning English, earning a living and coming to grips with a different culture but I had the freedom to paint how and what I wished. Hurdles faced by a migrant in a new country, and difficulties generally encountered in life, are played out many of my paintings with a tongue-in-cheek, sardonic sense of humour some might perceive as being Australian in character, but which no doubt find their real impetus in my experiences of a politically straight-jacketed, tradition-bound Chinese art world.

As a Chinese migrant in Australia, I draw on my experiences to create artworks that explore cultural identity, ambiguity and the human condition. My paintings often feature figures in precarious environments, inviting viewers to ponder the uncertainty and tension. By leaving questions unanswered, I encourage viewers to bring their own perspectives and interpretations to the work.