Born and raised in Shanghai, he draws extensively on his oriental origins for inspiration. He visits China and Tibet frequently, sketches the landscapes, villages and people he meets there then returns to his studio to create magnificent interpretations of his homeland's people, costumes, culture and traditions.
But now living in the US, Christopher is also very influenced by western culture, in particular ballet. "Every time I watch ballet dancers," he says "I strive to study and represent the excellence and elegance of the art. As a figurative artist, I not only understand them, but also share with them the whole nature of the art."
He has been drawing and painting oriental or western figurative studies almost all his life. As a small child in China he practiced over and over again, day after day, copying the works of great Russian icons such as Repin, Serov and Vasnetsov, striving to master his natural gifts without the support of art books, teachers or schools. He worked hard until he was good enough to enter Shanghai’s East China Normal University. He graduated with a BFA degree then earned a scholarship to Rhode Island College. There, he studied western art from the Renaissance to Post- Impressionism and earned his Master's.
As he puts it: "Russian masters taught me how to color the soul of man, while American and Western European masters taught me how to ennoble the figure of man." Perhaps it is that belief that gives his works so much life. The figures in his paintings are not simply brush strokes beautifully drawn and executed, they are portraits of real people with heart and soul, strength of body, and courage of will. Perhaps it is that which distinguishes his work from so many others, causes museums to hang his paintings and collectors to acquire them worldwide.
Christopher is also an OPA master, Master of the Copley Society of Art, Artist member of the Salmagundi Art Club, Elected Artist member of the American Artists Professional league, Elected Artist member of the American Academic Art Association, Elected Artist member of the Lyme Art Association.
