A young motorcycle repairman in southwest China has been pursuing his dreams of artistry using the tools at his disposal -- motor oil as paint and wrenches and screwdrivers as brushes.
At 28 years old, Tan Xiaohu has been working as a motorcycle repairman for nearly a year in Chongqing Municipality, where the sloping urban terrain makes motorcycling an attractive choice for transportation.
Now, his repair shop doubles as an art studio, with used oil fueling his passion for a traditional style of Chinese painting known as ink wash, or black-and-white painting.
"When I first began, I kept experimenting because I couldn't use new engine oil for my art, as that would be wasteful and costly. So, whenever customers came in for oil changes, I collected the used oil," he said.
Tan has had a passion for painting since childhood and pursued a degree in graphic design at university. After graduating, however, he found little success in art and began to work at his father's motorcycle repair shop.
Over time, the young man gradually mastered the skills necessary for motorcycle repair. In a moment that would reignite his artistic instincts, he noticed that the oil on his gloves had left a distinct mark on a foam box.
"Since we are a repair shop, we don't have paintbrushes or painting paper. However, motor oil is a common paint. Sometimes, while assembling a new motorcycle, I accidentally touch the oil with my gloves, and it leaves a mark. This made me realize that I could use the foam box like paper, and motor oil could serve as paint," he said.
With his source of paint secured, Tan began to use the metal edge of wrenches to create outlines, screwdrivers for adding details, and the discarded foam boxes as his canvas.
"Life shouldn't be defined by others. Even if I work as a mechanic, I still have the right to pursue my passions. Repairing motorcycles is my livelihood, while painting is my passion. Both deserve to be taken seriously," he said.
Chinese motorcycle repairman paints artistic dreams with engine oil
