ARTIST STATEMENT

From a young age I drew and made things out of raw materials available, natural or synthetic. This practice I have continued all of my life is my profession and prayer. For me it feels like a responsibility, which must be taken seriously, to put another image out into the world.

Myself a vessel that needs to be fed with beauty, intelligence, poetry, music, dance, the glory of nature and the breath of living dark and light. Then with sensitivity it is transformed into a magic which transcends and invigorates on canvas (or whatever medium is being used). Integrity. Yes. To invigorate. Yes. To dance with the mark, also with warm and openly love, that's what I hope the work gives out. Not a sentimentality, but something rooted in a deep joy of seeing.

There is so much destruction and pain around the world, and the last thing I want is to add more. But of course the work goes on its own journey and long may it do so. During my childhood, China was the place where all the beautiful pictures and artefacts came from that I  saw when my father regularly took me to the British Museum in London. Later I read different Chinese stories and personal histories.

When at last I came to China everything just opened and flowered and I felt I was in the place I was meant to be. I met many wonderful people and never felt lonely even though I couldn't speak the language. I was given places to work in a Lotus village near Chengdu and in an office block in Beijing and felt at home. The culture, the enthusiasm, energy, kindness and laughter have fed me over the last few years. I've seen the wonderful work of many Chinese artists, be it painting (old and new), installations, sculpture, calligraphy or a spectacular performance with great swathes of colour, sound and motion.

China is a country that I sincerely hope will be a prominent part of the rest of my life.It has enriched my life and my own journey. I feel very humbled and grateful for all the people I have been fortunate to meet (and the many more I hope to meet). Also the outstanding beauty of the country with all its many different characteristics. To meet and understand each other better from across the seas and mountains under a large open sky is surely a way to help us treat our world and each other more caringly.

Thank you China for all you have given me and also I would like to thank all my Chinese friends and especially Chen, John Xue — and Annie Xiaoli Wang who has metaphorically been with me on this journey from the beginning.

By Caroline Hands

July of 2009 in London, UK

Caroline in her China' studio                                                                      Caroline with her Chinese friends in front of her painting