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Brushing up on a hidden gem

19/ 8/2006

WAITING to be discovered on the streets of Newbold in 1982 was a hidden gem all the way from the Far East.

Duan Hoan Ly gave no indication of his talent when he first arrived in Grafton Court from Vietnam, via Hong Kong.

The 23-year-old was too busy helping mother Coo, sister Lin and cousin Duong to settle in.

But, gradually, his amazing talent for painting revealed itself - and found a champion.

Mrs Teresa Brine, who lived in nearby Channing Street, was a member of the Ockenden Venture, which was set up to help Vietnamese Boat People to settle in.

Once she saw what Duan could do she was keen to introduce it to the outside world.

She said: "He's a timid boy and doesn't think much of his work. I think Duan would like to put his talent to some use in a job. He attends Rochdale College to learn English but no one there knows about his painting or they would take him in, I'm sure. Perhaps he would teach them one or two things."

Mrs Brine had one of Duan's pictures, a portrait of her sister Imelda.

She said: "I feel sure people would pay money for such work and a photographer could put his talent to some use."

Already she had gained approval for his work at Sandiford's art shop in Drake Street and was on her way to Rochdale Art Gallery.

The most amazing thing about Duan's ability is that he had had no formal training.

Self-taught, he had begun to paint about six years previously and was equally at home using powder paint or watercolours.

Using watercolours, he produced scenic panoramas of Vietnam from memory but he showed a mastery with powders - painting stunning portraits from photographs.

One such portrait, of his late father, was taken from a 30-year-old photograph and hung proudly in the lounge of the family home.

Duan said: "I did it in four or five hours with a break here and there."

A special talent, deserving of a special stage.