Czine-NAFAHUB

"I used a number of media, including ink and watercolour, I found the variety rather distracting, I prefer working in a focused manner, dealing with one thing, looking deeply into it, mastering it and its complexities. So I made a decision to concentrate on one medium. I find oil challenging. It has a physical dimension which appeals to me and suits the way I approach painting. Oil has a density, a heaviness which captures certain sensations both optically and physically.

There is also possible in oil a range light effects which are not possible in other media. Finally there is the question of texture; the surface can be worked up and all kinds of effects can be produced. I am still exploring and learning."

"I hope that more of my personality, my culture would come through my painting. I hope my work will reflect the richness of the orient. The East has a long history and rich tradition of arts which we can tap. Some Western artists are turning in that director for resources, we, in the East, ignore it at our own peril.

I foresee that subject matter in my painting will become simpler. I do not see myself heading towards abstract painting because I think a viewer should know what an artist is trying to depict by looking at the painting. I am not suggesting that abstraction is not good. It is just not my cup of tea, and I will not force myself to engage in it. I must find a style that suits me best and then work at it."

"I was very much influenced by Impressionists in the early part of my career. Their method of painting, in the open air in front of the subject, appealed to me. In that situation, all kinds of sensations and feelings are released and these are influential in shaping my perception. This method stills remains with me; I have to be there, physically. Then there was the Impressionist use of colour, the way it was applied on the surface, the immediacy, spontaneity are important.

I do not use photographs; they do not have the freshness which I get by actually seeing a scene. Of course, over the years I have developed a technique that is suitable for me and it is removed from the Impressionists."