I’m a Live Caricature Artist

Last week, I was in Frankfurt working with Haier Air Conditioning & Heating - Europe at ISH2025. By the end of the week, I had drawn over 300 people and managed to engage in brief conversations with more than 100 of them.

The reason it wasn’t over 300 conversations? Well, my language skills are currently limited to English, Luganda, a pinch of German, and a sand-grain of Mandarin. 

ISH is 'allegedly' the world’s leading trade fair for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Water. I say 'allegedly' because, honestly, if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t know—I know next to nothing about the HVAC industry. But that’s one of the many things I love about my job; it gives me a glimpse into industries I’d otherwise be even more clueless about, helping me shed a layer or two of ignorance along the way. It also gives me the chance to meet and engage with smart, interesting people from all over the world.

Throughout the week, visitors would occasionally approach me with technical questions about Haier’s products. Since I was wearing a branded Haier polo shirt, it was only natural for them to assume I had the answers. They would launch straight into their inquiries, and I’d listen intently, nodding along as if I understood what they were talking about. I wasn’t trying to waste their time—I just felt it was better to let them finish their thought before taking them to someone with the knowledge and expertise they were seeking.

Meanwhile, as they were getting the information they needed, I’d quietly sketch them from a distance. 

Just as they were about to leave, I would present them with a Haier branded folder inside which they would find their very own caricature to take way from the stand. 

That’s the moment they would realise… I’m a live caricature artist.

In my opinion, this is a far better way for them to discover what I do than for me to bluntly say upfront, “I have no idea what you’re talking about—I just draw caricatures at trade shows, corporate events, conferences, weddings and parties.”

Photos by Daniel Mayorov from ExpoMedia.