Hair, it appears, can also be an artistic medium, as recently demonstrated by hair stylist Hsu Yi-tsung (許益宗), who has created a number of “hair-paintings” in his spare time using hair from his day-job as a hair stylist.
According to Hsu, every “painting” required at least 7.5 million strands of hair.
However, the hair first had to be divided according to fineness and color, before he could “plant” it, strand by strand, into a cork board, Hsu said.
Photo: Lu Hsien-hsiu, Taipei Times
“You really have to be focused and can’t make any mistakes,” he said.
After planting the hair into the board, he then trims combs, and fluffs the “painting” to achieve the look he wants.
The process is extremely detailed and drawn out, and even working 12 hours a day, it takes about six months to complete one painting, Hsu said. Over the course of a little more than a decade, he has produced only 20 hair-paintings.
“Hair-painting is not just a matter of creativity, every strand carries the DNA of its former owner, infusing the works with a unique sense of life,” Hsu said, adding that the saying “Life is like a painting” could not be more appropriate when applied to his works.
Hsu’s works are on exhibit at the New Taipei City Gold Museum until May 26.
Translated by Jake Chung, staff Writer
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