Gaylord Chan
Gaylord Chan is an 86-year-old painter who can no longer paint in the literal sense, due to health issues. But his enthusiasm and determination prompted him to continue his artistic journey via a rather unconventional method (for people his age): the computer software Paint. He shares his thoughts on art and life with Samuel Lai.
HK Magazine: As an artist, how do you like using Paint?
Gaylord Chan: I can no longer paint, but I can still express my artistic self through Paint, the software. Art is a human instinct—it’s in our nature. When your heart has something to articulate, the medium and tools you use are not important anymore. Paint is interesting because I can experiment with various color combinations and alter them with a mere mouse click. In fact, I became more sensitive to different colors in a way that was unimaginable before using Paint.
HK: Tell us how you came across Paint in the first place.
GC: I was diagnosed with lung cancer about a decade ago. A quarter of my left lung had to be cut, and my maximal oxygen uptake was significantly reduced. I could no longer draw on large sheets of paper—it became a task too laborious for my body to handle. I had a stroke afterwards, which dampened my speech ability and thinking process. To help myself recover, I started to play Solitaire on my computer. With an action as simple as clicking a mouse, my nervous system could complete a stimulus-response circuit. And Paint is just a few clicks away from Solitaire.
HK: Having gone through so many medical treatments, what is your view on death?
GC: Hongkongers like to curse one another with the phrase “Pok Gai” [in Cantonese, meaning to drop dead, literally translated as falling onto the street]. But to me that really is a blessing more than a curse. If I had to endure all that chemotherapy to treat my cancer, and thank god I didn’t, I’d rather die right on the street. It would’ve saved me from much pain! Actually, I have already reserved a VIP place at Po Fook Memorial Hall, which is great because I get free parking whenever I go to Sha Tin nowadays.
HK [noticing Chan’s cup of red wine]: Many writers and artists, like Ernest Hemingway or Li Bai, produced great works after drinking. They claim hard liquor is their source of inspiration. Are you such an artist?
GC: After I drink, I do not paint. I drink more! I would only resume painting on one occasion—when I run out of alcohol. I carry an anti-frustration tool with me always: a bottle opener. What is man’s greatest frustration but to find a bottle of hard liquor right in front of his eyes, and not be able to open it?
HK: What’s your favorite alcoholic beverage, then?
GC: The saying goes that it is best to reap where one has not sown, thus it is also best to drink what one has not brewed. The best alcohol is alcohol free-of-charge. If there’s more than one kind of free alcohol in front of me—say vodka, whiskey and wine—I would have to try them out one by one before I can tell you which one is the best, no? Now, why don’t we cut the chitchat and start drinking?
Check out Gaylord’s Digital Print Exhibition, “Technique is not an obstacle—our minds are”