Oil on wood – 24 x 18 inch – Unique work

It is 3:00 a.m. on October 3, 2023. Insomnia is keeping me awake. My phone is close at hand; I turn it back on and start scrolling through Instagram. I’m chatting with someone from Hong Kong. Meanwhile, I’m messaging my daughter on WhatsApp—she’s on a stop over flight in Hong Kong! Long story short, I’ve been invited to exhibit in Singapore in February 2024, during the Chinese New Year.

It’s amazing, and yet… the magic of social media. I started painting new projects of Paris featuring a highly colorful style and geometric shapes. I wanted to evolve my painting.

My daughter is coming with me. It is my very first time in Asia. If someone had told me… It was love at first sight. Singapore certainly has a reputation for being the safest city in the world, and you can absolutely feel you’re secure. We arrive a few days before the exhibition opens to explore the city, but it is so hot and humid that we often hide in air-conditioned shopping malls.

We still managed to enjoy Gardens by the Bay and the Botanic Gardens (including an out of the blue Qi Gong session). On Chinese New Year’s Eve, we were lucky enough to witness a spectacular show featuring 2,000 drones in the sky. The human tide in the streets of Singapore was impressive, yet there was no pushing, just respect and calm.

The day before the opening, two men hanged the paintings made by the various participating artists. It looks magnificent. Everything is all set. The big day has finally arrived. I am also getting ready to lead a pastel workshop. And since it is the Year of the Dragon, the choice was obvious. Over the course of three full days, drawing and pastel enthusiasts came to visit. What a blast.

One evening, one of the Chinese artists guided us through the city. It was a fantastic discovery, taking us to unique spots and a great dinner at a popular, authentic local haunt far from the tourist crowds. To top off the outing… the famous Merlion, the symbol of Singapore. The fish’s body represents Singapore’s origins as a former fishing village, while the lion’s head reflects the city’s original name (« Singapura » means « Lion City ».

We left with heavy hearts but with sparkling eyes.