READER LETTER: Guernsey through an island newcomer's eyes

Wednesday 03 April 2024

What does Guernsey look like, through the eyes of a newcomer?

"My name is Natasha K. HE, an artist from China with a background in urban design and architecture.

I have a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Manchester and a Bachelor of Engineering in Urban Planning. I have been working in the creative industry since 2004, and I am passionate about Art and Photography. I have worked on various projects in several countries, including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, France, Canada, the UK, Ethiopia, the Netherlands, and Guernsey.

When I was young, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut or a scientist to explore the unknown world. However, my mother recognised my creativity in Art and design and encouraged me to pursue undergraduate studies in urban planning. From there, I developed my skills in Art and gained experience in large-scale projects in China's fast-paced environment.

In November 2022, I was presented with two great options. One was to continue my architectural career in a large and international practice in Rotterdam, a city I am familiar with and known for being modern and innovative. The other was to explore a new opportunity in Guernsey, a quintessential Channel Island I had never been to.

I am thrilled to have chosen Guernsey, as it has won my heart and inspired my creative vision.

In January 2023, I started my first Guernsey artwork, a pen and ink drawing in A3 size to capture the overall view of St. Peter Port. It reflects my first impression of Guernsey upon arriving via the Condor ferry. I still remember the late afternoon when the ferry approached St. Peter Port; I was excited and said: "Wow, Guernsey is bigger than I thought, and it's so pretty."

In the summertime, I joined the St Peter Port sketch club, and through Charlie's eyes, I learned about Guernsey from a historical angle. I created two pieces, "The former Meteorological Observatory" and "Saint Joseph & Saint Mary Catholic Church".

Later that year, I spent approximately 100 hours observing and illustrating the fine details of the front facade of the Marketplace. In the meantime, I enjoyed learning the history of Guernsey. The front facade of Guernsey Market was built along with the renovation of Fountain Street. I took several photos to study the elevation and details, and eventually, I completed a large drawing of 80 x 100cm.

I decided to add some colour in 2024. In January, I took a commission to illustrate a personalised gift for the owners of "Good Earth Chinese" in Vauvert, Guernsey. After discussing with the client, we agreed to apply watercolour paint to express a warm, colourful, and dreamy atmosphere by combining pen and ink to illustrate the fine details. The dominant colour is red, a symbolic and transitional colour in China.

Oil painting has always been one of my favourite art forms; I love the thickness, layers, and blending of colours. A new theme was created using oil paint - "Guernsey's Monuments and their Landscapes." Castle Cornet was to capture the thickness of colour blocks of Historic castle and stylised landscapes. A stunning view of Guernsey Castle Cornet was painted onto canvas. The painting is 70cm x 80cm in size. The way that I stylised the landscapes to contrast the building and emphasise the warm light is to present the historic building uniquely. After numerous experiments, I finally found the perfect tone for my artwork for 40 hours.

Since I joined the peaceful and balanced pace of lifestyle of Guernsey, I revisited my old sketchbook of psychological and fantasy drawings for ideas. The sketchbook, "Characters in Natasha's World," featured experiences from my earlier years. This artwork is after recreating the "Cocky Head" illustration by using watercolour. The figure can be interpreted as my experience in the male-dominated architectural industry, where people use beautiful feathers to disguise masculinity.

My artwork always reflects the status of my mind. I appreciate the environmental benefit of Guernsey, which allows me to slow down and take more time to think before creating.

My love for Guernsey has grown stronger over the past year and four months. I continue to write my stories inspired by my artistic vision and share them with others to inspire curiosity about the world."