Nobody forced Wei to paint Mao -- he was compelled to do it. The artist said he was so moved by the chairman's unadorned lifestyle and work ethic that he wanted to share it with others. "Ordinary people do not have the chance to visit Chairman Mao's former bedroom," he said, adding: "I went there and saw what it was like. I strongly feel that I have a responsibility to tell others what I've seen."
As an artist, Wei chooses the brush rather than words to articulate himself. "An artist doesn't speak. His paintings say everything," Wei explained.
With a deep feeling of respect and admiration, Wei began to work on his painting of Chairman Mao. He collected bundles of source materials from Mao's relatives and former assistants to make sure that everything was as accurate as possible. It took him seven years to complete the work.
The painting was greatly received by Mao's relatives and abroad. "There are quite a number of foreigners who like the painting and some of them want to buy it," said Wei, "but I promised not to sell it. I think it should be kept in China."
Asked if he has any plans to capture other Chinese leaders on canvas, Wei smiled: "You know, my energy is limited. If I decide to paint for someone, I want to learn about the person comprehensively. I just don't have much time and energy to do that."
Wei did say, however, that he would continue producing artworks of Chairman Mao.
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