Student Olive's Chinese painting reminds her of home

Advertisement

Olive Su moved to Lancaster four years ago

A student at Lancaster University has been beating homesickness by carrying on her family tradition of Chinese painting.

Olive Su moved to Lancaster four years ago to study psychology, and has been painting since she was three.

She's inspired by the local scenery, particularly the Lake District, which she describes as "breathtaking".

Her father Zongsheng Su is a famous artist in China, where his work has been exhibited widely.

"The basics of Chinese painting are called the four gentlemen," says Olive. "Bamboo, orchid, plum blossom and chrysanthemum."

The four gentlemen are the four plants needed to become a master painter.

Olive paints in the freehand style of Chinese painting, which she prefers as it gives the artist more freedom.

"I'm thinking learning is a lifelong process so you are always learning even when you are old," says Olive. "I hope I [am] a very good artist buts it's probably too early to say."

BBC North West Tonight's Eno Eruotor reports.