At the Open University of China （OUC）, there is one student from its University for Older Adults, who has not allowed her colour blindness to get in the way of her talent. Her name is Lyu Huafang, an exemplary student of gouache painting.
Popular consensus would have it that not being able to distinguish between different colours is a serious impediment to artistic possibility, but Lyu begs to differ. "Painting is a mood of life,” she said. “And everyone has their own style.” For Lyu, it turns out that colour exists in one’s heart instead of eyes, and a sense of optimism goes a long way in tapping into the sunshine we have inside us.
Gouache work by Lyu Huafang
Lyu Huafang: A Spokesperson of "Snowbirds"
"Many parents from one-child families migrate to Beijing with their children. Some of them travel back and forth between their hometown and Beijing, and others have to stay alone in their homes in Beijing all day long. They are like migratory birds with no place to settle their minds.”
Those who chat to Aunt Lyu are likely to be exposed to all kinds of great sayings. The word "migratory bird" is a metaphor that vividly captures the experience of this particular group of elderly people in Beijing. To some extent, it is also a self-portrait of Aunt Lyu herself.
They have limited social circles, no time to communicate with their children, and nothing to do. The parents are said to resemble “snowbirds,” migrating to their children’s place of residence out of love for them. Meanwhile, they lose their own lives and sometimes even their sense of self. Is there an alternative? Through her art, Lyu offers a ray of hope.
She said the OUC’s University for Older Adults is a good choice for those in a similar situation to herself.
"My life is enriched by myself"
From the cosy and comfortable campus to the friendly teachers and classmates, the entire experience has brought her back to the pleasantries of school life. And finally, she has fulfilled her dream of attending university.
Yet, painting gouache is just a small part of Lyu's colourful campus life. In recitation class, the students read and sing under the guidance of their teacher. They embrace knowledge, learning both music and writing.
She also makes full use of her smartphone, posting and sharing her daily life with friends.
Works by Lyu Huafang
Although resettling in Beijing has forced Lyu to temporarily separate from her friends in her hometown, she remains optimistic about embracing the world, devoting herself to being “a snowbird” mixing colours in the heart.
By OUC News Network