Gottfried Braeunling and his works. [Photo by Sun Junjun]

Ten years ago, Gottfried Braeunling, a German artist, was invited to Zhongshan by his friends from afar and hold his first personal exhibition in foreign land. Afterwards, his friends returned to Germany, but he chose to stay and accustom himself into this strange city. A decade has passed since then.

Gottfried's home is located on Longjing Street, where motors and bicycles coming and going. The 3-storey house, with several potted plants in the little yard behind an iron gate, does not stand out against its surrounding buildings. The 72-year-old German artist has lived here for 10 years.

"I want to live among Zhongshan people so as to experience their real life. Later I found that I have a group of friendly neighbors that would help me look after my house, water my flowers when I am away, and sometimes bring me delicious food they made," said Gottfried delightedly.

In the small house filled with his works and collections, Gottfried draws pictures, makes sculptures and entertains his friends. He even reserves some rooms specially for his friends who would sometimes stay overnight.

Gottfried was born in Dresden, Germany. When he was a boy, his father once made a bedtime reading about China for him and other children. Since then, Gottfried has picked up an increasing interest in Chinese culture and Chinese people he meets.

When he grew up, Gottfried becomes a public sculpture artist, and he had studied, lived, and stayed in many countries. In 2009, Gottfried in his 60s made up his mind to visit China. His first stop was Zhongshan, where he never thought he would have stayed for 10 years.

With the help of his friends, Gottfried settled down in Zhongshan and established his studio on a busy street. Gottfried was invited by his friends from Germany to held a small exhibition at a German restaurant, where he got acquainted with many local artists in Zhongshan and started his artistic life.

Zhongshan continuously inspires Gottfried in art creation. He took lessons of Chinese ink painting and learned to make porcelain from local artists in Zhongshan. "They (Zhongshan artists) are diversified. I have learned a lot from them," said Gottfried.

In 2015, with Gottfried's help, several artists from Zhongshan took an exchange trip to Germany and held an art exhibition tour.

Ten years in Zhongshan has passed before Gottfried knows it. In his point of view, Zhongshan is not just the second hometown, but his "home". "Sometimes I return to Germany. But soon I will miss this city, and its people, culture and food. Then I come back to Zhongshan again."