Jan 28 accident on Highway 97 leaves Chinese artist seriously injured

UPDATE: Leanna Carlson provided some additional details:

“We collided with a logging truck and rolled. I have a couple of bruises, but Huang Fei had a spinal cord injury… He is still in intensive care in Vancouver. I am worried that in China he might not have the facilities he will need for injuries he might sustain but we just don’t know at this time. It’s serious and everybody is worried… I want to thank everybody in both countries.”

Original story below.

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A pair of artists, one from China and one from Prince George, celebrated the role of art in their friendship last month.

One week later, Prince George potter Leanna Carlson and Chinese painter Huang Fei were involved in a serious accident.

Around 11 o’clock in the morning last Tuesday, while attempting to avoid a logging truck, their vehicle hit a median and flipped, according to Paul Leathers, an Alberta-based metalsmith and sculptor.

While Carlson sustained minor injuries, Huang Fei needed to be airlifted to Vancouver.

Huang Fei’s art and attitude have captured the attention of artists all over the world, many of whom have contributed to a GoFundMe campaign organized by Trudy Golley, a ceramic artist from Red Deer, Alberta.

“We talked about philosophy a lot, and we’ve shared my interest in ancient Chinese mythology,” Leathers recalled.

“He’s certainly a great artist – a willing participant in the adventure of travelling internationally and effecting people and sharing his skills and expertise,” he added.

“Huang Fei had actually been here, eating dinner at our table, a week ago today… what a difference just a few days can make,” Golley recounted with emotion in her voice.

“He’s been spreading his love of blue and white painting throughout Canada,” she continued, “last Sunday, he did a workshop in Edmonton. After the workshop he got up on skates, it was his first time skating and we hope he can skate again,” Golley concluded.