8 questions with my classmate Huaichin Lin

Written by WangFa, Grad Diploma Fashion Management, London College of Fashion

Below is an interview with my classmate Huaichin Lin on his experience of going back to Taiwan and what he sees for his future after the pandemic.

Q1. How do you feel after returning to Taiwan?

Lin: I feel like Taiwan is really safe.  Our government has done a good job on epidemic prevention and control.

However, the flight journey was difficult.  People were seated very far apart, which played an isolation effect.  During the whole flight, I wore a mask, googles and gloves, and I did not use the toilet for nearly 13 hours.  My ears hurt all the time and was so very tired throughout.

When I came back to Taiwan, I know that I had a friend unfortunately catch the virus.  I always feel that the virus is far away from me.  When my friend had a case, I deeply felt that my friends and family were precious to me.  We need to cherish them and spend more time with them.  Life is short, cherish the people before you.

The most regrettable thing was that my studies ended hurriedly, which is really a pity.  There are many things I wanted to do in London and many places I wanted to go. Besides, I planned to travel to Italy during this holiday, but now all plans have been cancelled.

Q2. I saw the photo from Instagram that you and our class mate Kiyo went to the airport together?

Lin: We made an appointment to meet at the airport previously and talked about some issues that happened recently and our future career plans. Our original plan was to find a job together in the UK, so we still can visit exhibitions and go to clubs together. Now we have to go back to our own countries.

Before leaving, I hoped him roll a British cigarette as usual. This may be the last cigarette I helped him with.  This goodbye cigarette pushed us to almost cry.

Q3.  What are the measures for isolation in Taiwan?

Lin: We have to be isolated at home for 14 days.  Besides, the government will give some subsidies of one thousand Taiwan dollars a day and the governor (person in charge of the residential area) gave me a package with masks, food and some Buddhist books.

Q4. How is your family feeling about your return home?

Lin: They were very happy I went back.  At first, they were actually worried that I may have carried the virus, so they prepared a room to use as an isolation room.  Then my younger sister bought me a hand-made house model.  She knew that I like to make hand-made things, so I hope I can use this time to make it for her.

Q5. How do you have meals during quarantine?

Lin: That is interesting.  It is like jail.  Three meals a day are usually put by the door of my room by my family.  Then I pen a gap in the door and take it in.  After eating, I wash the plate etc in the bathroom, of my own room and put it back outside the door.  My clothes are also washed separately by myself.

Q6.  You put some of your paintings on Instagram.  What are the implications of these paintings?

Lin: The first barbed wire painting represents my current mood that I feel like I am imprisoned.  The hole in the lower left corner represents that I think I have hope for the future and myself.  This painting s related to my creative style and habits, which is concerned about details.  I used a thin needle pen to outline.  The name of this drawing is Liberty.

The second picture is a snake and a noose hanging shoes, which represent Sin, Satan and Evil respectively. The broken rope represents death. I wanted to express my recent feelings about being close to death.  The broken rope and shoes are to express the final outcome of the hero’s life, which is hard to predict, but the snake’s appearance means that he is less likely to survive.  The other details in the painting are form the heart of my mind.  This picture’s name is ‘Atonement’.

At present, I have only painted a total of 3 paintings.  During the period of isolation, I retrieved my previous hobbies, and I will stick to them.

Q7.  Could you tell us some plans for your future?

Lin: I currently want a job in the fashion industry in Taiwan. Then out my paintings on Instagram to gain popularity.  Of course, I hope to work in London in the future.

Q8. What else do you want to say to your class mates and Post-Grad Community at UAL?

Lin: Everyone take care of your health, and I hope to meet again in the future.  In addition, I wish WangFa, my flatmate, could successfully complete his master’s degree.

Finally, I hope that you guys like my paintings.  Find more on my Work Instagram @Porkneckmeat or follow me personally @linhuaichin

Post-Grad Stories

A thriving online magazine of our postgraduate student voices sharing thought-provoking experiences, practices, thoughts and articles about what matters to them.

Open Call: Student stories/shares during COVID-19 Outbreak

Want to write an article? Get in touch with the Post-Grad Community team PGCommunity@arts.ac.uk