An artful way to overcome social distance

The COVID-19 has almost paused the life for most people for two years. Gladys Tsui, Human Resources Officer of Hospital Authority (HA) as well as a Certified Zentangle instructor, however, has found a way to colour in the empty spaces created by prolonged social distancing during the epidemic: shares her love of artful illustrations with friends and colleagues. Social distance sometimes brought us closer.

Gladys first took up Zentangle four years ago – an art form that involves creating images by drawing structured patterns known as tangles. “There is no judgement in Zentangle,” she explains. “I enjoy the process of drawing when you are free from life’s troubles. When you pick up a pen, anything is possible with one stroke at a time. You’ll end up drawing something amazing.”

When the epidemic forced her to stay at home and avoid social gatherings, Gladys kept in touch with her Zentangle partner online and the two ladies communicated with each other through their creative drawings. “We took turns to draw two drawings and exchanged them with each other every two weeks,” she says. “It took us half year to complete both drawings. I looked forward to receiving her mail every time. We found that, through our exchanges, we would never know which patterns would surprise you every time, and we felt each other’s emotions in the illustrations. This experience brought us even closer than before.”

Being responsible for staff training at HA, Gladys has also held a Zentangle workshop earlier to teach colleagues this healing art. “It’s not about complicated skills,” she says. “It is more important to focus your feelings and follow each step to draw. That way, you can relax from your busy working life.”