Painting Class Displays in Presidential Building

Painting Class Displays arts in Presidential Office Building

Former President Ma Ying-jeou once visited the painting class for rare disease patients in December, 2015, and had a better understanding of rare diseases through interaction with patients. For enabling more people know these life warriors, he invited the students from painting class to set up an art exhibition in the art gallery in Presidential Office Building from February 19 to March 5, 2016.

At the press conference for the opening of the art exhibition on February 19, former President Ma invited the patients to be his “distinguished guests” and to visit the building. Many people were the first time to enter the building, especially from the main entrance, and it was a particularly unforgettable experience. “Only then president's distinguished guests can enter from the front door!” A mother said like this to the child. “So I am president's VIP?” “Sure, because you are a hard-working student.” “Then I certainly have to be more hard-working!”

In the Great Hall of the Presidential Office Building, former President Ma first mentioned the concerns/attentions and efforts on rare diseases in Taiwan. Afterwards, one of the patients went on the stage to introduce the work. Former President Ma asked humorously: “Do you sell this painting?” “I don’t want.” It seems that children who like painting cherish/treasure their work more than anyone else. “If someone pays a high price for it, will you sell it?” He inquired once again. “Do you want to be the buyer?” The naive and straightforward reply of the young patient made the guests there laugh a lot.

At this time, more than 50 works were exhibited, including 41 patients’ works. Behind each work, they all contain stories, and also have something in common, which is that everybody’s picture shows infinite vitality, and they can gain achievement and self-confidence through drawing.

Translator: Penny Tsai (SMA), Reviewer: Linda Tsai