From Beijing to Hobart and how a photo of Tasmania changed one woman's life
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Ever wanted to quit your job, move across the world and start a new life? Shanshan Ai has done just that, leaving Beijing for Hobart to study art.
Ms Ai saw a photo of Tasmanian scenery in a magazine and decided there and then to move to the Australian island state.
"I think that's my inner destiny," she told Helen Shield on 936 ABC Hobart.
"The beautiful view of Tasmania really attracted me, a lot.
"I think it's one of the most beautiful landscapes I've ever seen."
Ms Ai worked as the art editor and reporter for one of the biggest newspapers in China, the Beijing Evening News, for 11 years before she decided to change careers and countries.
"I loved my previous job very much and I feel a little bit sad I left it," she said.
"But I still want to become a successful artist."
Ms Ai said art was in her genes.
Her father was an artist and told her to learn two things — English and painting.
"I think ... he would support me. He passed away when I was 11 years old," she said.
"My mum, I can feel that she doesn't want me to leave her, I am the only child in my family and we have a very close relationship.
"But she supports me. She still wants me to realise my father's dream."
Since arriving in Hobart to study painting at the University of Tasmania Art School, Ms Ai has explored in her art the landscapes that brought her here.
"I'm really interested in eucalyptus," she said.
"I feel it's an amazing tree, I've never seen it in China before.
"I really love the colour ... it has a special name too, it's the Tasmanian leaf green. A special colour."
And while she is drawn to painting the natural landscape for its beauty, Ms Ai is also keen to explore Tasmania's built landscape in her work.
"When I got [to Richmond] someone was holding a wedding and ... [it was] so romantic on the oldest stone bridge of Australia.
"I hope I can paint more pictures of Tassie."
Topics: contemporary-art, painting, people, human-interest, hobart-7000, china
