Be a fool who dreams: Pursuit of fine arts by a canteen waitress

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‍Wang Hua's first job was a waitress in a canteen. Now she's a renowned artist, leaving the small village where she grew up to chase her dreams in Beijing, with nothing but a simple belief that the capital has a better environment for arts and chance for potential artists to be spotted.

Wang Hua is painting at a stylish bookstore in Beijing. /CGTN Photo

She arrived in Beijing in 2011 and made a living with a job which she thought could get her closest to her dreams: a canteen waitress at China’s Central Academy of Fine Arts.

With a monthly wage of just a few hundred yuan, she settled down in a tiny basement, where water leaks were a common state of affairs.

There, she started her seven-year effort to paint 10 impressive long rolls, which have recently been finished and will soon be exhibited in high-profile art events.

Wang Hua shows her 10 long rolls to CGTN reporter. /CGTN Photo

Her turning point came in 2013, after a random conversation with one of the students at the canteen. Touched by her story, the student recommended her to a professor.

"Her painting is very special. In all the years of my teaching, I never met a student like this. She never had professional training, but it's exactly the lack of it that helped her work because she wasn't restrained by the rules," Professor Yuan Yunsheng, a highly reputed Chinese artist spoke of her work.

Wang Hua spoke to CGTN about her past struggles. /CGTN Photo

After years of studying from the professor, Wang is now much better off.

But she still lives near her past basement, a reminder of the humble start while she no longer steps inside.

Wang Hua used to paint in a basement. /CGTN Photo

Citing safety concerns, Beijing authorities banned the rental of all basements, driving up the cost of housing.

The city has also launched a campaign to push the so-called "low-end" industries and workers out, in a bid to control the population.

Although Wang feels sad as in her eyes, Beijing seems less open to newcomers, her unwavering hope can conquer some of life’s harsh realities, she said.

As she is, and will always be, a fool who dreams.

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