Tuesday January 25, 2011
Artist loses her fingers, not her talent
MALACCA: She has lost her fingers but can write beautiful Chinese calligraphy using her hands, feet and mouth. Holding a paintbrush between her teeth, He Yui Mei, 40, demonstrated her ability to write the words “Happy Chinese New Year” in ancient Chinese calligraphy.
The mother of two, who hails from Guangzhou, China, has travelled thousands of miles to earn a living by using her talent. “I lost my fingers at the age of 20 when a home-made firework exploded during the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Extraordinary artist: He demonstrating her ability to write the words ‘Happy Chinese New Year’ in ancient Chinese calligraphy. She lost her fingers when a home-made firework exploded during a Chinese New Year celebration.
“I have learnt to paint and write using what is left of my hands ever since,” she said when met yesterday, a paintbrush firmly tied on her wrist. In addition to Chinese calligraphy, He can also paint beautiful scenery like mountains and waterfalls that are synonymous with her country of origin.
At present, she is renting a small booth at the foyer of the Dataran Pahlawan shopping mall in Bandar Hilir which is open from 10am to 10pm daily. When asked about her business she said in clear Malay: “Boleh tahan” (Not bad). Her paintings are priced at RM10 each.
He has come to Malaysia eight times over the past three years. “I like Malaysia,” she said, adding she would celebrate Chinese New Year here before returning to China in the middle of next month. —Bernama
