The Great Wall

I stood on the Great Wall of China when I attended a technology course in Beijing. I was in awe at the sheer scale and magnitude of the accomplishment - 21 000 km long, built over two millennia. I walked along it, marvelling at how much effort, dedication and work had gone into building it. I ran my hands over the stones - touching history. I wanted to know everything about this great wall. What did I find out? I found out it is known as 'the longest cemetery' as millions of workers died building it. Their bodies were buried within or around the wall. Workers died from disease, exhaustion or accidents. Lack of food and water and dangerous conditions led to a high death rate.

Discovering this, I was overwhelmed with grief and sadness at the staggering loss of life. I wanted to leave. I wanted to remember and honour those who suffered and died building this wall which has now become a money making tourist attraction. A 'super toboggan' is a popular way to descend the wall. There's even a marathon event on the wall. 

The Great Wall - I feel awe and wonder at the wall that stands before me. It stretches as far as the eye can see, on and on and on and on into the distance, immense, powerful - a statement. This feeling did not last as I learn about its past. It's a statement of power becomes a lament instead for all those dead and buried in its cement. If you listen carefully, the voices of the dead can be heard coming from the longest cemetery in the world. Many men were to fall in the making of this great wall, forged on forced labour, suffering, starvation and pain - all for strategic and economic gain.

Interestingly, I sold this painting to a Chinese lady. I explained the reasons why I was compelled to paint it and she was very keen to hang it in her lounge. Two weeks later, she contacted me to ask If I would take the painting back as she could hear voices and whispers coming from the men depicted in this painting.