Christian decides to donate his painting to the Nanjing Memorial Hall in December. [Photo/Xinhua]

Shortly after, Chinese friends invited him to tour the Nanjing Memorial Hall where he was deeply moved by the homage paid to the victims of the massacre. Returning home, he began reading books by Chinese historians, in order to learn the history of the tragedy, and to become steeped in the details of the event. Before long, he felt the need to act.

"I said, for these people who always welcomed me with such kindness, I will make a painting."

In January 2015 he set to work. Every morning he woke up and read about the Nanjing Massacre to remain connected to the reality of what happened, before entering his studio to paint.

Working primarily with a spatula, Poirot painted his figures in a non-realist style, but one which is still deeply expressive. The characters' forms are fragmented, showing images within images, and revealing multiple layers to every scene.

When he finally unveiled the finished piece, Poirot told Xinhua that it was a period in which he worked every day with the same pain as the figures in his painting are seen experiencing, and so to donate the painting was also a form of deliverance for him.

"It is necessary to examine oneself deep within in order to paint," he explained.