Calligrapher’s long-held wish fulfilled at Tuen Mun Hospital

A collection of metal-based calligraphic works of art displayed at Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) earlier represents the realisation of a long-held dream of their creator, artist and terminal cancer patient Yau Ding-biu.

Despite achieving a significant following among artistic circles in mainland China, Hong Kong native Yau told medical workers at TMH’s Department of Clinical Oncology he still had one outstanding ambition – to hold an exhibition in his hometown. Yau’s carers immediately took up the challenge and, through their tireless efforts, the artist was able to see his wish fulfilled before losing his battle with lung cancer.

“Uncle Yau’s condition deteriorated very quickly towards the end. We were fighting against time to make it happen,” advanced practice nurse Connie Chan recalls. With the clock ticking, the task took on the tone of a precision-timed military campaign. “The passion and efficiency arising from the cooperative strength that exists in our team helped make Uncle Yau’s dream a reality. One of our colleagues was instructed to help him get washed and dressed as quickly as possible and he was able to preview his own exhibition before sadly passing away the next day.”

When Yau was a child, he was told he had poor handwriting. This was the spark that lit his desire to become a calligraphy artist.
Connie Chan (first from right) and her team in the Department of Clinical Oncology at TMH went the extra mile for Uncle Yau– a true demonstration of the common understanding among all Hospital Authority staff that although our lives will one day come to an end, love will always remain.