Taiwan student bags Japanese illustration award

2015/09/04

A Taiwan-based artist was named Aug. 31 Grand Prix winner at the 2015 Japan Illustrators’ Association awards, collecting a cash prize of 300,000 Japanese yen (US$2,500) and earning the country greater honors on the international stage.

Liu Ching-wei’s “The Little Bag,” which comprises “Got Lost with Owner,” “Metropolis,” “Make up My Mind,” “Never Give up” and “Even Work Hard at Christmas,” beat 348 submissions by 174 illustrators from Taiwan, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the U.S.

The series tells the tale of an abandoned bag at the airport making its way to the city and teaming up with other ownerless pieces of luggage in a struggle for survival. It contains generous dollops of local flavor with such additions as Chinese characters and Taiwan street scenes.

According to Liu, the story is based on one by well-known Taiwan writer Logan Hsu. “It resonates with my own life experiences and mirrors a personal search for identity and fulfillment,” he said.

JIA President Takahiro Kanie praised Liu’s works for their detailed images rich in color, adding that a film-like composition and mix of Eastern and Western influences put them head and shoulders above the rest.

Echoing Kanie’s remarks, Hsieh Sheng-min—chair of Asia University’s Department of Visual Communication Design—said Liu’s postgraduate studies at the Taichung City-based institution are paying handsome dividends for the rising talent.

“Personification of the delightful and lively characters like the bag, an octopus and a bird driver gives a surreal feel to the illustrations, and definitely assisted Liu in claiming the top honors at the event.”

Liu, who also won a Germany-headquartered Red Dot Award for Communication Design in 2014, plans additional collaboration with Hsu and is set to publish a book consisting of 100 illustrations in Taiwan by year-end.

Held annually since 2000, the JIA awards attract thousands of professional and amateur talents worldwide. This year’s winning works will be exhibited at Takashimaya Shinjuku Store in Tokyo next month.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=234579&ctNode=413)