30 pen drawings by university teacher recreate the heroic moments amid epidemic in Wuhan

A teacher at the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan has immortalised some of the heroic moments of the city’s battle against COVID-19 through a series of 30 pen drawings.

Chen Huawen and his family have been living in the university compound since Wuhan launched its epidemic prevention and control drive in late January, which Chen himself also actively participated in.

Deeply moved by the selflessness and dedication of the people around him, starting from Feb. 14, Chen decided to make use of his talent for drawing and sketched a series of pen drawings themed on Wuhan’s courageous battle against COVID-19.

In order to improve his artwork, Chen always posted his completed pictures on social media and sought advice and comments from his friends. “A lot of people are also cheering for Wuhan,” said Chen.

The subjects of Chen’s pen drawings are medical staff, People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers, hospital builders, community workers, volunteers, couriers and photojournalists, among others.

"The characters in the paintings all wear masks. This has never been seen in my previous paintings, which also signifies that these pen sketches are special and monumental,” he said.

According to Chen, each figure in his work represents not a single individual, but a group of people, and he will continue to draw them and publish a collection of his pictures once the epidemic is over to show his respect both for Wuhan and the heroic people who are protecting it.