FEW artists admit to being influenced by their peers. Perish the thought; that would compromise one's integrity. Once in a while, though, there emerges an earthy individual who not only admits but celebrates the fact that his work is a blending of styles, a continuous learning process derived from collaborations with artist friends. Henry Chan Fat-hing is such a man.
Sporting bright red sneakers, baseball cap, blue jeans and a bold, multi-coloured T-shirt, Chan views himself as something of a mobile display.
'I believe an artist must display his life force, his vitality. My attire is representative of me in that respect. My clothes are a form of conceptual, moveable art,' declares Chan.
The former head of graphic design at Radio Television Hong Kong set out to fulfil his dream of becoming an artist when he retired last year.
'I do not think that I am one at this point; I have a long way to go yet.
'But I think it is very important that an artist struggle, to put effort into his work and draw from life's experiences to get insight,' says Chan, insistent that he has not struggled enough.