Chinese sanitation worker colors Guangzhou's streets with art

"Painting calms me. It's like entering another world, where I never feel tired. I'm even more delighted when I finish a piece," said Luo Shiyue, a Chinese sanitation worker with a passion for painting.

His recent works depict delicate flowers, the iconic lion from southern China's lion dance, and giant pandas, among other subjects. Painted on utility boxes in the streets of Shahe subdistrict, Tianhe district, Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, they have earned widespread praise from local residents and netizens.

Luo Shiyue, a Chinese sanitation worker, paints on a wall in Shahe subdistrict, Tianhe district, Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. (Photo from the official account of CCTV News on WeChat)

"With a broom in hand, he works as a city beautician; with a paintbrush, he becomes a street artist," reads an online comment.

The 42-year-old starts his day at 6 a.m., working with colleagues to collect waste at more than 20 locations in their assigned area. Together they load heavy trash bins onto garbage trucks before heading to the disposal station.

Yet after work, he picks up a paintbrush and immerses himself in a world of colors.

Art has always come naturally to Luo. He recalled teaching himself to sketch in elementary school, spending holidays replicating cartoon characters.

Though his brush lay dormant for years, a chance video in 2022 reignited his passion. He began painting late into the night, sometimes using discarded wooden boards or old billboards as canvases.

His works range from cartoon figures to landscapes, each piece a personal retreat from the daily grind. Without formal training, he honed his craft through persistence and practice, and his dorm room is now filled with his creations.

In February this year, Luo painted in public for the first time. With encouragement from colleagues, he took on the task of decorating a wall at a subway entrance in Shahe subdistrict, spending two days painting a nearby red silk-cotton tree on the wall.

At first, Luo worried whether he could do a good job, but compliments from passersby gave him confidence.

An older woman passing by said the flowers "look so real," while children asked if they could learn to paint from him.

Luo Shiyue, a Chinese sanitation worker, paints on a utility box in Shahe subdistrict, Tianhe district, Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. (Photo from the official account of CCTV News on WeChat)

The success prompted him to sign up for Shahe subdistrict's project to beautify utility boxes.

Over the past month or so, he has created more than 20 artworks on the streets. After finishing each piece, he takes a photo and shares it on his social media account to document his journey.

After completing a painting of sunflowers, he wrote, "Sunflowers always grow toward the light, just like us striving forward."

Luo's paintings are widely appreciated, with many people coming to take photos at spots decorated by his works.

Residents say his paintings have made the subdistrict more vibrant and call him a "true city beautician," praising his contributions to the urban landscape.

"I'm really glad to do my part for the city," Luo said, adding that whether collecting waste or painting murals, he is working to beautify the city's environment.

Looking ahead, he hopes to continue working and painting, sharing Guangzhou's stories and warmth with more people.

"My life has become so fulfilling because of my passion. I hope everyone finds something they love and makes ordinary days more colorful," Luo noted.