Once sooty hands produce beloved works of art
By Victoria Fei |
April 27, 2013, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
WALT Disney once noted that "it's kind of fun to do the impossible."
Ju Fengzhu, a 75-year old former chemical factory worker who once made a living by scavenging for unburned coal, is the embodiment of the concept that anything is possible. In retirement, she has become one of the most recognized local community artists in Minhang.
Her latest paintings were displayed at activity centers in Wujing Town as part of events marking the first Shanghai Citizens' Cultural Festival.
Some of her artworks depict mountains shrouded in clouds, with smoke curling up from farmhouses and boats floating along rivers. It's hard to imagine such beauty springing from hands once soiled by soot.
"I had a desire to paint after retirement as a way of getting involved with my community," Ju said. "Painting enriches my life and also inspires people around me. It makes me feel young, happy and energetic."
Ju had no formal training. She is mostly self-taught.
"I had to learn painting from scratch, like the most basic techniques of copying works and drawing sketches," she said. "It was my childhood dream to become a painter. I started late, but I'm glad that I started at all."
Ju's husband supported her in the new passion. He carefully allocated their household budget so that all his pension money went to daily living costs and half of Ju's pension went toward buying art supplies.
"He is the best critic for my paintings," Ju said. "His support has been invaluable."
She attended painting classes at a community school and went to local parks to sketch trees, birds and flowers. When she bought fresh fish and shrimps for dinner, she observed them carefully before cooking.
Ju also studied the works of art masters, copying some of their masterpieces to understand style, composition and brush strokes. Paintings of bamboo, shrimp, plum blossom and peonies are scattered throughout her house. They are among the 1,000 works she reckons she has done.
"No pain, no gain" is Ju's credo. She has overcome the difficulties of her age, poor eyesight and a paltry education to pursue her art.
Her most celebrated work is entitled "The Lavish Peony." It has won local awards and was honored to be among the works sent to the Taipei delegation during the Special Olympics in Shanghai.
Some of her works have ended up in homes for the elderly. Others are displayed in neighborhood centers. A few have been used in charity events to raise money for the poor.
Ju has established a group called Sisters Painting Salon to share her artistic experience with neighbors and encourage others to paint. One of her protégés is a 9-year-old girl who recently won a silver award in the National Children's Painting Competition.
"It's so gratifying to rub shoulders with a neighborhood talent who might otherwise pass you in the street unnoticed," said Li Shu, one of Ju's fans. "She's so energetic. It's inspirational. She deserves the respect that the community has bestowed upon her."
Ju Fengzhu, a 75-year old former chemical factory worker who once made a living by scavenging for unburned coal, is the embodiment of the concept that anything is possible. In retirement, she has become one of the most recognized local community artists in Minhang.
Her latest paintings were displayed at activity centers in Wujing Town as part of events marking the first Shanghai Citizens' Cultural Festival.
Some of her artworks depict mountains shrouded in clouds, with smoke curling up from farmhouses and boats floating along rivers. It's hard to imagine such beauty springing from hands once soiled by soot.
"I had a desire to paint after retirement as a way of getting involved with my community," Ju said. "Painting enriches my life and also inspires people around me. It makes me feel young, happy and energetic."
Ju had no formal training. She is mostly self-taught.
"I had to learn painting from scratch, like the most basic techniques of copying works and drawing sketches," she said. "It was my childhood dream to become a painter. I started late, but I'm glad that I started at all."
Ju's husband supported her in the new passion. He carefully allocated their household budget so that all his pension money went to daily living costs and half of Ju's pension went toward buying art supplies.
"He is the best critic for my paintings," Ju said. "His support has been invaluable."
She attended painting classes at a community school and went to local parks to sketch trees, birds and flowers. When she bought fresh fish and shrimps for dinner, she observed them carefully before cooking.
Ju also studied the works of art masters, copying some of their masterpieces to understand style, composition and brush strokes. Paintings of bamboo, shrimp, plum blossom and peonies are scattered throughout her house. They are among the 1,000 works she reckons she has done.
"No pain, no gain" is Ju's credo. She has overcome the difficulties of her age, poor eyesight and a paltry education to pursue her art.
Her most celebrated work is entitled "The Lavish Peony." It has won local awards and was honored to be among the works sent to the Taipei delegation during the Special Olympics in Shanghai.
Some of her works have ended up in homes for the elderly. Others are displayed in neighborhood centers. A few have been used in charity events to raise money for the poor.
Ju has established a group called Sisters Painting Salon to share her artistic experience with neighbors and encourage others to paint. One of her protégés is a 9-year-old girl who recently won a silver award in the National Children's Painting Competition.
"It's so gratifying to rub shoulders with a neighborhood talent who might otherwise pass you in the street unnoticed," said Li Shu, one of Ju's fans. "She's so energetic. It's inspirational. She deserves the respect that the community has bestowed upon her."
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