Watch The Barefoot Artist

The Barefoot Artist is a heart-warming and inspirational documentary film released in 2014. The film is directed and produced by Glenn Holstein and Daniel Traub, and it tells the captivating story of Lily Yeh, a remarkable artist, and her humanitarian work, which transformed poverty-stricken communities into vibrant and colorful places.

Lily Yeh, a Chinese-American artist, was born in China and raised in Taiwan, where she developed her passion for painting and art. In the 1960s, she moved to the United States, where she pursued a career in art and set up her studio. However, she soon realized that she wanted to do something more meaningful with her art than create paintings for galleries and exhibitions.

In the 1980s, Lily Yeh began her humanitarian work by starting the Village of Arts and Humanities in North Philadelphia, an area that was severely affected by poverty and crime. Lily's vision was to transform the neighborhood into a vibrant community through the power of art. She started by organizing outdoor art projects involving the residents, where they could paint and create sculptures, murals, and other artistic installations. The art projects brought the community together and created a sense of pride and belonging among the residents.

The Barefoot Artist follows Lily Yeh's journey as she travels to different parts of the world, using art to transform impoverished communities. The film takes the viewers to places such as Rwanda, where Lily works with genocide survivors to create a memorial using art to heal the trauma of the past. In Kenya, she collaborates with local artists and young people to build and paint a school, turning it into a colorful and inviting place of learning. In China, she returns to her homeland to work with artists and farmers, creating a giant Earth Goddess installation that celebrates the connection between people and nature.

Throughout her travels, Lily Yeh encounters many challenges, including language barriers, cultural differences, and political unrest. The film captures the struggles and triumphs of her work, and how she is able to connect with people despite the obstacles. Lily's compassionate approach, humility, and openness to new experiences and ideas are what make her such an effective force for change in the world.

The Barefoot Artist is an inspiring film that showcases the transformative power of art in the face of poverty, trauma, and conflict. Lily Yeh's work reminds us of the importance of community, compassion, and creativity in making the world a better place. The film is beautifully shot, with stunning imagery of the art projects and the people involved in them. The soundtrack, featuring music from different cultures, adds to the film's global appeal and emotional depth.

Overall, The Barefoot Artist is a must-see documentary for anyone interested in art, humanitarian work, and social change. It is a story of hope, resilience, and the enduring human spirit that can overcome adversity through the power of art.

The Barefoot Artist is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 57.