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Graffiti Artist Coaxes Taiwan’s Instagram Generation Back Home

Published July 20th, 2019 - 09:47 GMT

55-year-old graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien transforms elderly's homes into a canvas of color to attract the Instagram generation back. 

Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of color.

Dipping his brush into a tin of beige emulsion, he carefully applies new layers of paint to his latest production - a vibrant rural scene depicting farmers in traditional weave hats tending to a flock of animals.

Paintings have started to bring young visitors - always keen for a selfie in a photo-friendly location - back.

Wu is not alone in this adopting this strategy.

There are now some half a dozen so-called "graffiti villages" in Taiwan that have been festooned with artwork in a bid to inject some life into rural places that have been emptied of its young.

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This picture taken on May 21, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien (top R) posing with his family in front of their home in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on May 21, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien (top R) posing with his family in front of their home in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien posing for photos at his home in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien posing for photos at his home in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on May 21, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien painting a wall in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on May 21, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien painting a wall in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows a dog sleeping in the courtyard of a house painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows a dog sleeping in the courtyard of a house painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows a local resident walking past a wall painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows a local resident walking past a wall painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows a local resident walking past a house painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows a local resident walking past a house painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows an motorcyclist riding past a utility pole painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows an motorcyclist riding past a utility pole painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti painter Wu Tsun-hsien posing for a photo in a empty old house near his home in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti painter Wu Tsun-hsien posing for a photo in a empty old house near his home in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

This picture taken on May 21, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien (top R) posing with his family in front of their home in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien posing for photos at his home in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on May 21, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien painting a wall in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows a dog sleeping in the courtyard of a house painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows a local resident walking past a wall painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows a local resident walking past a house painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows an motorcyclist riding past a utility pole painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti painter Wu Tsun-hsien posing for a photo in a empty old house near his home in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on May 21, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien (top R) posing with his family in front of their home in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on May 21, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien (top R) posing with his family in front of their home in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien posing for photos at his home in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien posing for photos at his home in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on May 21, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien painting a wall in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on May 21, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien painting a wall in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows a dog sleeping in the courtyard of a house painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows a dog sleeping in the courtyard of a house painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows a local resident walking past a wall painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows a local resident walking past a wall painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows a local resident walking past a house painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows a local resident walking past a house painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows an motorcyclist riding past a utility pole painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows an motorcyclist riding past a utility pole painted by Hakka graffiti artist Wu Tsun-hsien in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti painter Wu Tsun-hsien posing for a photo in a empty old house near his home in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP
This picture taken on March 30, 2019 shows Hakka graffiti painter Wu Tsun-hsien posing for a photo in a empty old house near his home in the Taiwanese village of Ruan Chiao. Nestled in the mist-covered foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, Ruan Chiao village is virtually devoid of young people, but artist Wu Tsun-hsien is coaxing the Instagram generation back by transforming local homes into a canvas of colour. Sam YEH / AFP

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