500 Brushstrokes Depicting A Smoke-Free Future

“The stroke I drew represented my sincere commitment to quit smoking."

“I used blue, the colour of a clear sky, to convey my wishes that my family stay away from tobacco and there is fresh air back home.”

“I have been smoking for more than 30 years and have been hoping to quit for a long time. I chose burning red to symbolize my earnest desire to quit smoking. I must succeed this time!”

The temperature is rising in Beijing’s early summer. An event where experimental art meets public health brings a touch of coolness to the hot weather.

On May 9, an onsite experimental art event called “500 Brushstrokes + Commit to Quit” organized by the World Health Organization China Office and the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention with joint sponsorship of China Central Academy of Fine Arts was held in the flexible workspace WeWork at Parkview Place. The event invited contemporary artist Wu Jian’an to incorporate his signature art creation “500 Brushstrokes”, which integrates painting, paper-cutting, collage and other forms of art, into a collective public health commitment. Each stroke, painted by hundreds of individuals with diversified backgrounds, including the UN Resident Coordinator in China Siddharth Chatterjee, young actor and singer Xu Weizhou, and General Manager of WeWork North China Conan Quan, symbolized his or her commitment to quit smoking for themselves, for their families, and for a healthier world.  

According to the latest report from the WHO, tobacco kills more than 8 million people globally every year. There are approximately 1.337 billion tobacco users aged 15 and above worldwide, 308 million of them are in China.

“China has the largest smoking population in the world, and smoking has caused significant disease burden. With each person who commits to quit, the health risks are reduced, for the smoker and the second-hand victims of their smoke,” said Dr George F. Gao, Director General of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

May 31 is World No Tobacco Day. The WHO has set this year’s theme as “Commit to Quit”.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused huge trauma. However, it has also focused many people’s attention on health issues. According to the WHO, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted millions of smokers to consider quitting.

“Art and public health share a lot in common. Both of them are noble and public-oriented. During the pandemic, art conveys the warmth beyond nationalities and brings inspiration and comfort to people. I believe this special joint event can draw more people’s attention to the risks of smoking and offer encouragement to those smokers who want to quit,” said Dr Gauden Galea, WHO Representative in China at the opening ceremony.

Lü Pinjing, Deputy President of China Central Academy of Fine Arts said, “fine arts and the development of society must progress in tandem with one another. Attention to overall health, tobacco control and encouraging a tobacco-free lifestyle all reflect the progress of our society. Through a perceptive and well-crafted artistic presentation, we can pass this message of progress to more people and inspire them to embrace health.” 

The 500 Brushstrokes is among Wu Jian’an’s most popular artworks in recent years. This interactive, artistic experience has been conducted multiple times in both domestic and international settings. This latest 500 Brushstrokes + Commit to Quit, however, is quite special to him. “Everyone’s stroke will be deconstructed from the original structure, then put together on a new piece of white paper. The interactive form of experimental art creates a strong sense of participation and ritual, transforming the invisible commitment and support for quitting smoking into a real action, and presenting it tangibly in an artwork,” Wu Jian’an explained. 

Siddharth Chatterjee, the UN Resident Coordinator in China expressed his appreciation for the event. “The power of art has enriched the meaning of smoking cessation as a public affair. I am glad to participate in such a creative and purposeful activity.”

“Quitting is not that difficult. With professional support and evidence-based quitting services, you have a smoother transition with less pain. If someone around you are trying to quit, be generous to give them your encouragement, understanding and support. And do not convince them to smoke or give them cigarettes,” said Xu Weizhou, actor and singer, who believes such inspiring event is essential to the call for quitting.

“Since WeWork entered China in 2016, it has established more than 100 communities in 12 cities. It is our responsibility and objective to provide employees and members with a healthy working environment. By creating a smoke-free workspace to encourage everyone to quit smoking, we advocate the wellness both in work and life. We are pleased to contribute to public health as a community platform,” said Conan Quan, General Manager of WeWork North China. 

The strokes painted by hundreds of participants will be cut, collaged and recreated by Wu Jian’an and his team. The finished artwork called 500 Brushstrokes + Commit to Quit will integrate the individual commitments into a pledge for a smoke-free and healthy world.

The final artwork will be officially released on May 31, World No Tobacco Day.

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