In 2008, Chen Huili was tasked with restoring an 800-year-old artifact as part of a national project. Qianshou Guanyin is a gilded complex of statues featuring a bodhisattva, or Buddhist goddess, other Buddhist figures, complete with a thousand hands, in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. 

It's a unique piece, but its distinctiveness meant that conservators had no reference to guide their work. For eight years, Chen had to deal with firsts, unknowns and surprises until the Buddhist goddess and related elements returned to their former glory. The journey was rewarding, although Chen admits it was anything but easy, with the restorer having to deal with mosquito bites, muscle aches and a deep regret toward her late mother. The 80-year-old got sick far away at her hometown and eventually passed away, while Chen, fully engaged in the reservation project, failed to spend more time taking care of her. 

This is Chen's story.