An Accomplished Artist

By Michael Walton

Tell us about yourself.

In summer 2004, I decided to leave my homeland and come to the U.S.A. to further my education because there are few educational and job opportunities for deaf people in China.

What is your experience in the United States?

I brought not only my luggage, but also my country rules, customs, and habits. Like most international students, I have to face many problems such as learning a second language, a different culture, a dissimilar American academic system, and so on. Therefore, I have to work fivefold and even tenfold as hard as Americans do in order to succeed at Gallaudet.

Where did you go to school?

I studied at a school for deaf students from elementary to high school. When I was 20 years old, I went to the Technology College of Shanghai, which is for hearing people. Fortunately, the college accepted and set up a new program for deaf students to study art one year before I entered.

Tell us about Shanghai.

I really am proud of being Chinese and from Shanghai. The city is called the “Big Apple” like New York City. It has many great skyscrapers. Shanghai also has a unique and important river, the Huangpu River. The name means “yellow river.” The most attractive and amazing building is the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. It consists of three different side columns. The Tower stands between the Huangpu River and the Sushou River. Therefore, it is referred to as “two dragons playing with a pearl.” Moreover, Shanghai is also a “sleepless city.” Whether it is day or night, the beautiful views are the same.

How did you become interested in art?

I became interested in art because of my dear mother. I am lucky and proud to have a great and warm family—especially my mother. When I was about 3 years old, she encouraged me to learn painting because she believed that painting was a better way of expressing my real feelings. Also, she realized that I had the potential to develop my talent and bring my art to the world. I would like to say something to my mother in China: I love you!

What was the title of your first work of art and why?

The title of my first work of art was Apple. When I was too young to understand much sign language, my family had a hard time communicating with me. One day, I wanted an apple, but I did not know how to express my desire to my parents. Luckily, my mother realized painting could be a mirror to my feelings and encouraged me to draw my desires. I drew an apple—actually it was more like a ball with a line on the top. She finally understood.

How do you like living in America?

Honestly, I am not used to living in America yet. There are no familiar faces and little of my favorite Chinese foods here. Sometimes I feel isolated and like many international students, I become homesick. However, I have fun here and Gallaudet makes my life meaningful because I can learn many things there.

What is your college major?

Without question, art is my major field of study because it is my life motto: “If you have a talent, use it. Fulfill your promise.” I also enjoy sociology and may take that as my minor.

What are your plans for after you graduate from Gallaudet?

After I graduate from Gallaudet, I will carry my “new and abundant luggage,” which is full of new ideas, new knowledge, new science, and new technology, and go back to Shanghai. I will organize to lead and train more outstanding deaf people, enabling them to become leaders. In turn, they will continue to lead and train other deaf people, so there will be more and more great and talented deaf people in China.

What is life in China like for deaf people compared to America?

Deaf people in China are talented and as smart as Americans, but they receive fewer educational opportunities. I hope the Chinese government will consider training these outstanding deaf youth by providing them with higher academic education and mentoring them. Then they will become future deaf leaders.

View Zhou's Artwork (Flash Movie)