This Chinese Hairstylist Turns His Craft Into Art

Painting just got a little hairy.

When thinking of art, the traditional media comes to mind: sculpting, paint, photography perhaps. What does not come to mind—paintings, constructed primarily out of hair clippings. Wang Xiaojiu, a 32-year-old hairstylist from Northeast China who creates paintings made out of hair, is sculpting masterpieces that can be considered works of art in their own rite.

According to the Global Times, Xiaojiu has been creating hair paintings since 2015 and by now, has harvested over 150 individual works. His hair paintings vary in subject, from landscapes and scenery to cartoon characters or action heroes like Wolverine and Spiderman.

Before the more unique hair-art projects, Xiaojiu had been a hairdresser for over 16 years. Unlike most hairdressers who sweep away clients' freshly snipped hair, Xiaojiu saw an opportunity. Rather than simply dumping the chopped off hair, he decided to create something new.

To perfect his paintings, which are designed not on standard canvas, but on the ground of the salon he works in, Xiaojiu uses tools like credit cards and tiny brushes to keep the hair in orderly lines. Once the paintings are finished, it can be hard to tell that they even utilize such an odd medium. Instead, many look like hand-drawn illustrations.

While many hairdressers will still sweep away the fallen hair clippings, the next time you’re at the salon, think of all the amazing images and paintings your fresh haircut could become!