Departures & Returns: My 2026 Artweeks Journey
The past year hasn't been a "whirlwind," but rather a steady series of meaningful returns. Between the excitement of last year’s Artweeks and the adventure of getting onto Sky Arts’ Landscape Artist of the Year, I’ve been finding my feet in the studio again.
I don't live a glamorous 'full-time artist' life. Most of my weeks are spent balancing two part-time jobs. My limited studio hours are precious, and this new collection is born from an appreciation for the spaces in between. These paintings you will see at my shows are my way of holding onto that stillness before the next shift begins.
The Meaning of the Journey
Recently, I’ve had the chance to revisit cities in Hong Kong and Australia. These weren't just "holidays", they were a way to show my family the streets I once backpacked through alone. Returning to those familiar skylines with the people I love changed how I see them, they felt less like distant destinations and more like chapters of a personal story.
Chasing the Oxford Sky
Growing up in Hong Kong, I was surrounded by skyscrapers; the sky was often just a narrow strip of light between buildings. Living in Oxford has given me a deep appreciation for wide horizons and the way the sky transitions at dusk.
This year, my two new work Between the Rushes and The City Exhales, inspired from High Street, Oxford, focuses on that 'off-peak' rhythm, when the day’s rush finally fades and the stone begins to cool.
One Story, Two Venues
I’ve decided to split this year’s work across two local spaces:
Anatolian Mornings (From May 2nd): A series of intimate Cappadocia studies at Paperboat Cafe.
The Main Collection (From May 15th): Larger canvases at Conway’s Opticians.
At Conway’s, I’m thrilled to be exhibiting alongside Rachel Gabriel, who brings a beautiful abstract flow to the landscape, and Tim Kapp, whose realistic precision captures the structures of Oxford and the spirit of animals so perfectly. Together, our work offers three very different ways of seeing the world around us.
Whether we’ve met at a local art market, connected on Instagram, or chatted at last year’s Artweeks, I would love to see you there.