Rock portrait gets mixed reviews

Park officials want it removed, but some say it could prove a tourist attraction

Tourism officials in eastern China have ordered the removal of a prominent cliff-face portrait painted by a love-struck rock climber.

The image, which is of a man's smiling face and is about 6 meters tall, was painted in a recess on Fanzheng Rock, in Xianju National Park.

A 34-year-old bank clerk from Taizhou, a nearby city in Zhejiang province, says she spent two months on the portrait, which only came to the attention of authorities after another climber posted photos online.

In an interview on FM93 radio, the woman, who was not identified, said the image is of the first person to attempt to climb Fanzheng Rock without a rope or other equipment, in 2012. The man, also not identified, had got stuck midway and was rescued, she said.

The woman said she had tried times to win his heart, but he did not respond to her advances. Finally, she decided to paint his portrait 281 meters above ground as a form of "worship".

She completed the painting during weekends between July and September, setting out each day at 3 am, she said.

"I didn't intend to destroy the natural scenery," she told FM93. "It's my way to pay homage to his exploration efforts. If I'm asked to remove the painting, I will do it as soon as possible."

Xianju National Park confirmed the existence of the image and has said it will be removed.

"According to regulations, such graffiti must be removed to restore the original condition of the cliff face," according to a park statement. "The national park management committee will organize experts to inspect the area and arrange the removal of the graffiti in the most environmentally friendly way."

However, many netizens have called for the graffiti to be left alone because of the touching story behind it. According to a survey by local media, 57 percent of more than 3,000 respondents said the portrait should remain.

A netizen writing under the name Dapi says the painting is not ugly and "has the potential to become a tourist attraction".

"The painting is quite moderate in terms of its artistic level," adds Ying Jinfei, deputy director of the Zhejiang Art Museum. "Meanwhile, the painter's imagination and the story behind it deserve our recognition."

Contact the writers through shixiaofeng@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 10/14/2016 page15)