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Photos: Richmond artists reinvent public space to knit community together

A Richmond artist and her students spent a month standing under the scorching hot weather turning nine big metal flower pots into public artwork to cheer each other up during the pandemic.

A Richmond artist and her students spent a month standing under the scorching hot weather turning nine big metal flower pots into public artwork to cheer each other up during the pandemic.

In a normal year, Richmondite Li yuan Liu would be busy creating vibrant colours and drawings with her students in her studio at Hollybridge Way, close to the Richmond Olympic Oval.

However, she didn't expect that this year, she and her students would be standing outside throughout the whole month of August and painting flower pots. 

"It's a lot of work, but we had lots of fun. Artists need to think about how to mold ourselves to fit the public needs during these difficult times,” said Liu.

"I think creating public art could be a great way to utilize our talents to benefit the whole community. Public artwork could bring joy and a glimpse of hope to people when they walk by.”

Liu told the Richmond News that she has been considering for a while creating some public artwork to lift the residents' spirits who live in the building.