"I have had a strong love for painting ever since I was a child. For political reasons, the only publications available in China in the sixties and seventies were from Russia. These were considered to depict a strict and monotonous style of painting. However, this solid foundation helped me in my career. My favourite artists are the Russian painters Repin and Surikov.

"I think I was born to be an artist and by accident I chose painting. I believe the enjoyment in painting is something that I cannot find elsewhere and neither can I do anything better than painting. I believe painting is the only means that is able to reveal the most beautiful side of our lives, and portraiture can demonstrate the entire spiritual characteristics of one's emotions.

"Last summer, while travelling around northern Queensland, I met Jonathan Aatty and my intuition told me that his was the face I had been searching for so long.

"Born in Kowanyama, north Queensland, Jonathan has a characteristic, Aboriginal face. I found it striking as I could see the hardship he had undergone throughout the years, but the strength behind it as well. Also, his kindness and courage were not difficult to discover.

"We spent a few days together getting to know each other, until Jonathan felt comfortable about sitting for me. It is this face that confronted me for almost twenty weeks."

HUIHAI XIE

Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 1994 finalist Sir John Cromer