A cleaner and an artist

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04:42

CGTN

Wu Lidi has been working at Nanjing University as a dormitory cleaner for eight years.

She starts work at seven o' clock every day. Her job includes putting away the bicycles, recycling rubbish and cleaning the public areas of the building.

She also has a hidden mission: designing and decorating the building's blackboards.

CGTN Photo

Before, the designs and messages scrawled across the blackboards were assigned to the students who live in the building. They would write greetings on the blackboards during festivals and at the beginning and end of term.

Once, there were no students to draw things, so there were only the words “Welcome Home” on the blackboard when the semester was about to begin, which looked a bit too simple.

“I was a bit worried and decided to give the students a hand.” So Wu added a peony to the blackboard. Her superior and the students were very satisfied with the result. From then on, painting the blackboard bulletin became part of her job.

The blackboard bulletin in the building changes every month, and the one in the hall changes every year. Wu needs to draw about a dozen blackboard bulletins per year. Normally, it takes about 20 hours to finish one, climbing up and down. But Wu enjoys her work.

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“I've liked painting since my childhood. And I drew blackboard bulletins in grammar school and middle school,” says Wu. But she had to give up the hobby because her family was poor.

Being praised by for her blackboard murals in the dormitory building, she felt the happiness of painting again. She also upgraded her skills from chalk drawings to gouache paintings. She also learns from online videos in her spare time.

CGTN Photo

More importantly, she believes that the blackboard murals can bring the students happiness. “I often see them take photos or stop by to appreciate my paintings. Students usually don't go home for festivals, so I wish my paintings could lighten up their moods.”

Some of her paintings are printed on postcards as cultural and creative products and sold for charity.

CGTN Photo

“Cleaning is my job and I try my best to do it. It's my responsibility. But painting brings happiness and joy in my life.” says Wu. “It's like a space for my spirit. Looking at the blackboard bulletin, I feel that my dream has come true.”

Director：Lei Rong, Li Gangqiang

Editor: Li Gangqiang, Gao Xingzi

Filmed by: Meng Fanke, Li Feng

Designer: Yu Peng

Article Written by: Zhu Siqi

Copy Editor: Nicholas Moore

Producer：Wen Yaru

Chief Editor: Lin Dongwei

Supervisor：Pang Xinhua