Greater Taichung officials announced yesterday that they would give pop star Lady Gaga a Chinese brush portrait when she visits the city on Sunday.
With the city eagerly anticipating her arrival, the portrait is just the latest in a series of gifts and events planned for the singer.
Officials have even designated Sunday as “Lady Gaga Day.”
Photo: Su Meng-chuan, Taipei Times
At a welcoming ceremony, Greater Taichung Mayor Jason Hu (胡志強) is expected to present Lady Gaga with both a key to the city and a painting that fuses the characteristics of the city with East Asian culture, Greater Taichung Bureau of Cultural Affairs Director--General Susan Yeh (葉樹姍) said.
She said she hoped Lady Gaga would enjoy this rare gift — something she would not receive anywhere else in the world.
The bureau commissioned -Taichung-based painter Chen Hua (陳華) to paint the portrait.
Chen said he painted Lady Gaga based on posters of her and added symbolic Taichung landmarks, including the Fulfillment Amphitheater, where Lady Gaga is scheduled to sing, and the Taichung Park Pavilion.
The most difficult part to paint was Lady Gaga’s eyes, which are very wild, he said, adding that they would not look right if the ink and wash paint blurs into each other.
One thing he changed about the star in the portrait was her clothing. He painted Lady Gaga in a traditional Chinese one-piece dress.
“Maybe Lady Gaga will consider including the Chinese-style dress in her fashion designs after she sees the portrait,” Chen said.
Lady Gaga is scheduled to arrive in Taipei today on her first visit to Taiwan.
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