British illustrator uses pen to convey beauty of Dali, SW China

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03:54

Let's meet a British writer and illustrator who's lived in China for decades. He first came to study in China in 1993 and 12 years later, he married a Chinese woman and settled down in the southwestern city of Dali. Over the years, he has used his pen to convey the beauty of that place.

This Dali Sketchbook was published by John Pym in 2017. He uses delicate and vivid illustrations, with humorous and simple text, to bring to life his favorite Dali customs, food and natural beauty. He has also recorded many of his family's daily lives in the book.

"These short tables are very representative. I like this kind of everyday life, it's totally different from the big cities in China. It interested me," Pym said.

People say the Dali Sketchbook can even serve as a travel guide to the idea. In accordance with the book, Pym brought his family to Jingtian village to visit a master of hand-made pottery.

A piece of works in John Pym's Dali Sketchbook. /CGTN Photo

"It seems that 500 people were doing it on the mountain 18 years ago, but today he is the only one who's persisted, the last one. His skills are extraordinary. He can make a bowl and a cup in a few seconds," Pym said.

"He is impressive. I've never seen a foreigner who can come here and speak the Bai ethnic dialect," inheritor of Dali's intangible cultural heritage Yang Shaohua said.

Pym started to learn Chinese at a very young age. His father, who loves Chinese culture, would write down Chinese characters on stickers and put them on the walls. Pym chose to study Chinese in college and even studied in Tianjin, a north China port city. Later, by chance, he saw a documentary about the South of Yunnan which left a deep impression on him.

"The documentary showed some rural things in Yunnan. They are very distinctive. You cannot see them in other places. And the scenery is very beautiful. It's very special and I feel completely attracted to it," Pym explained.

A piece from John Pym's Dali Sketchbook /CGTN Photo

The illustrator came to work in Yunnan's provincial capital Kunming in 2000, where he met Wan Ke. Later, he moved to Shanghai to work, and coincidentally he and Wan Ke met there again.

After that, the two fell in love and got married. During the honeymoon, they passed through Dali. Basking in the warm sun, the couple really didn't want to return to Shanghai. Pym said Dali's natural environment reminded him and his wife of their childhood, so they decided to stay and do what they both wanted to do.

Ten years ago, their son Xiaolong was born. Seven years ago, they opened a coffee shop there.

"I feel that life is still very good. I can do the job I like and my child is happy here. We can be close to nature and relax," Pym said.

John Pym(L) and his wife Wan Ke /CGTN Photo

"He likes to draw and takes a sketchbook wherever he goes. He feels that even if we don't live in Dali in the future, such a sketchbook and graphic notes provide good memories. Dali is a magical place. It has the power to let people feel quiet and focus on what he or she is doing," Wan Ke said.

Pym is planning to publish another book, "Chinese Character Museum". This time, he wants to interpret the mystery of Chinese characters from the British perspective.

"For example, this is a nest, because it's originally a tree with a nest above and three birds," Pym said.

The British illustrator said he loved Dali and that was why he decided to raise his child there. Now his family and friends are all here in Dali. This provides him with the greatest possible happiness.

(Top Photo: John Pym works on his sketches. /CGTN Photo)