At 70, most people settle into routines – but not Grandma Li, a member of China’s Bai ethnic group. She swapped her lifelong needlework tools for paintbrushes in 2015, proving it’s never too late to rewrite your story. Now 80+, her canvases burst with market scenes, mountain vistas, and family moments from her Yunnan village.
📱 Gen Z’s New Art Icon
Her folk-art-meets-modern-life style has gone viral among young creators this year. ‘She paints like she’s streaming her soul – no filters,’ commented @ArtVibes2025 on Weibo. Local galleries now host her exhibitions, blending traditional Bai motifs with contemporary themes.
More Than Just Paint
‘Every stroke preserves our Bai heritage,’ says cultural researcher Zhang Wei. Grandma Li’s workshops teach teens ancient textile patterns through modern art – a hit at 2025’s Asian Youth Culture Fest. Her next project? A collab with eco-friendly fashion brand EarthHues, transforming paintings into sustainable fabric designs.
🌟 The Takeaway
As digital creators chase trends, this octogenarian reminds us: Authentic stories + cultural roots = timeless art. Who’s ready to start their ‘second act’?
