My paintings and my background (2007)

Helsinki / 28 November.

Cheong-Jagerroos Tong U (Canal)

My father has begun to teach me Chinese traditional paintings at home since I was a little girl I 1975. He is a well-known Chinese traditional painter in Macau and he has influenced me and my works in many ways.

In 1987, I continued Chinese painting study at the Fine Art Academy of Guangzhou, which is one of the top Fine Art College in the south of China, where I’ve received intensive painting training course for three years. In 1991, I furthered the Modern Art and Graphic Design study in the University of Hong Kong, since then my works began shifting from academic figurative to abstract decorative expression.

I’ve been a professional painter since 15 years. Most of my works are inspired by Chinese ancient philosophies, poems, nature, different seasons and different cultures. I’ve lived in 7 different countries during last 15 years, where include Hong Kong, Shanghai, France, Switzerland, Italy, Africa and now in Finland.

The experiences of different culture in each country have left strong mark on my works. I’ve had working on combining the different culture concepts with the meticulous traditional Chinese brushwork to portray my own lyrical dreamlike style. All of my paintings are painted on rice paper with Chinese ink and colors. I especially like to experiment the rich texture of rice paper to create bold modern expression, I then collage my rice paper paintings on canvas and finally use the mixed media such as oil and Acrylic to finish the painting.

I have had 9 solo exhibitions in France, Switzerland, Italy, Senegal and Finland. Since 1986, I’ve also had numerous selected group exhibitions through Asia to Europe. All of my paintings are in private collections in Finland, France, Switzerland, Italy, German, Holland, USA, Canada, England, Singapore, Belgium, Sweden, Africa, Austria and Macau.

I am living and working in Helsinki with my family since 2005.