Security guard turns parks into 'zoos'

A “deer” is wandering in the green bush, a “squirrel” is chewing nuts on a tree stump, two “white rabbits” are frolicking in the meadow, and a “marmot” is protruding its head from a ground hole. You are seeing these scenes not in a zoo but in some parks in Shenzhen.

Li Ping, a Shenzhen Central Park security guard in his 50s, has amazed residents with his paintings of animals and plants in local parks. Over the past two years, he has drawn more than 300 paintings on tree stumps, manhole covers, electric boxes and walls, adding vitality and beauty to Shenzhen Central Park, Cuizhu Park, Lianhua Hill Park, Renmin Park and Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park.

A native of Hubei Province in Central China, Li came to Shenzhen in 2019. With painting skills, Li had applied for jobs in Dafen Oil Painting Village but later worked as a security guard at Cuizhu Park in Luohu District. To make mundane manhole covers, electric boxes and tree stumps more infused into the beautiful environment of the park, Li began to paint on them and later was invited by more local parks to create paintings.

Li Ping poses for a photo with his painting at Cuizhu Park in Luohu District on Oct. 10. Photos by Xinhua

Li Ping paints on a tree stump Oct. 9 at Shenzhen Central Park in Futian District. 

Li Ping reads a book at a book bar in Shenzhen Central Park on Oct. 9. He often reads botanical and zoological books to get inspiration.

Li Ping paints at Cuizhu Park in Luohu District on Oct. 10.

Li Ping’s paintings are seen on an electric box and a pole in local parks in Shenzhen.

Li Ping’s vivid paintings of animals are seen on tree stumps in various local parks in Shenzhen.

          Li Ping’s colorful paintings are seen on manhole covers in various local parks in Shenzhen.