The "Prefab Classroom" shows the boy's life after a near-death experience. (Photo : Xinhua)
Five years after a catastrophe turned his life around, Goinbotobden depicted his own life through paintings. The “Prefab Classroom” showed him and seven other kids nestling closely around a book while two blue tents outside bears the Chinese characters for "disaster relief."
It was in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake when Goinbotobden painted the "Prefab Classroom." His interest with painting started shortly after he returned to school.
In 2011, Goinbotobden was among a group of 10 children in Yushu chosen to learn painting in a charity program backed by painter Zhou Chunya, famous for his "Green Dog" series.
Goinbotobden and the rest of the children learned both Chinese and Western painting skills in the said program.
The young Tibetan artist came from Kyichu, but moved to Yushu Prefecture in Qinghai Province when he was 8 years old.
Although the town is a place known for its beautiful and mountainous scenery, it suffers harsh climate because of long winters and wet summers.
The quake flattened the town in the spring of 2010 and killed around 3,000 people. The 11-year-old Goinbotobden back then was thrown to the ground in the courtyard of Gyegu orphanage.
The injured boy watched with fear as buildings collapsed and dead bodies lay all around him.
The oldest of four children, Goinbotobden has never met his father. Banru Deleg, head of the orphanage, served as the "father image" to the young artist.
Deleg said that Tibetans believe life is an eternal cycle of birth, death and reincarnation. "I willingly serve others and trust that my kindness will pay off,” he added.
Goinbotobden also painted an imaginary portrait of Deleg as a kindly old gentleman in a crimson robe.
Because her mother was ailing and could not take care all of her children, Goinbotobden was sent to the orphanage.
His hometown was not affected by the quake, and as the orphanage was destroyed, Goinbotobden was bandaged up and sent back to his mother for a month.
"My mom cried and so did our neighbors," he said. "They felt guilty; as if they were to blame for my injuries."
Deleg was astonished by Goinbotobden's art and encouraged him to develop his talent.
"When I grow up," Goinbotobden said, "I'll teach the children from my hometown to paint their own stories."
