Following public backlash, the creator of a Chew Jetty mural has clarified that a recent incident involving a tourist adding to the artwork was simply a misunderstanding.
Mural artist Zhou Huaxing explained that he personally invited tourist Shen Shishi to paint a panda on the mural. Zhou said he discovered Shen’s work on Xiaohongshu and found it creative, prompting him to invite her to contribute her style to the project.
“I’m actually a car dealer, but I’ve always had a passion for art,” Zhou said, adding that he encouraged Shen to specialise in painting pandas to build her reputation. Before returning to Chongqing, Shen even shared a dinner and artistic ideas with him.
Zhou’s sister also commented, explaining she wasn’t aware of the arrangement. “A neighbour told me someone was painting on the wall, and I immediately called my brother. But he said to let Shen continue,” she said. She added that the matter was peacefully resolved, with Shen gifting them a panda fridge magnet as a souvenir.
Zhou acknowledged that he did not expect the addition to stir public controversy and urged netizens to stop criticising Shen, noting that her contribution had actually attracted more visitors to the mural.
