When he struggled with his studies as a child, Akira Takahashi’s grandmother told him he would end up as a “garbage collector”.
She was not completely wrong, as he now creates art using discarded items and paints umbrellas to raise funds for charity.
The retiree, who was born and raised in Singapore, aims to raise $1 million for charity in his lifetime.
And at 77 years old, uncle Takahashi is about $110,000 shy of his goal.
A significant portion of his art comprises pet portraits on umbrellas that were commissioned by their owners, he told AsiaOne in an interview on Tuesday (Aug 11).
About 40 per cent of such commissions he gets are for deceased pets, uncle Takahashi said.
When asked about these portraits, he shared that as an animal lover himself, he often feels sad and empathises with these owners.
The elderly man has had dogs as pets since the age of four and admires their capacity for unconditional love.
“Although they can’t speak, they are loyal no matter what,” he said.
The artist, who charges $88 for each painted umbrella, currently has a two-month wait list with six pending commissions.
The bulk of the money from these commissions does not go into uncle Takahashi’s pocket, however.
He donates most of his earnings to various charities, including animal welfare groups, and also uses it to help others in need.
Speaking to AsiaOne, uncle Takahashi recounted an incident where he found out that a food delivery rider he often saw around Tiong Bahru had no way to earn a living after his modified personal mobility device was confiscated by the authorities.
The artist then took out about $3,000 out of his own pocket for the delivery rider to purchase a new e-bike.
“He had two elderly parents at home. I had to help,” uncle Takahashi said.
‘What I have is a gift’
The elderly man’s artwork has garnered attention online on multiple occasions in recent years.
Videos of him singing and painting umbrellas posted to social media have earned him the nickname “Umbrella Uncle”.
Uncle Takahashi told AsiaOne that he began painting the umbrellas during the Covid-19 pandemic as he was bored at home.
The man held various different jobs including working as a chef and food decorator in a restaurant and a hotel as well as a security guard.
Prior to retiring, he was the general manager of a restaurant, he told us.
Sharing how his background in vegetable carving and food decoration made him aware of his artistic abilities, the retiree said that he decided to channel them into something unique.
But why did he start painting umbrellas?
He said that there was no particular reason as the idea “just came to him”.
“I think what I have is a gift. When I paint landscapes or animals — and even when I used to make sculptures for my job before — it’s like something just takes over,” he said, likening it to being in a trance.
For those who wish to see him in action, uncle Takahashi can usually be found painting and singing outside Tiong Bahru Market in the mornings and Tiong Bahru Plaza in the evenings, with his pets keeping him company.
[[nid:739135]]
bhavya.rawat@asiaone.com
Read the full article here
