Taiwan Today

The 2016 Asia Illustrations Annual Awards are underway at the Taichung Cultural and Creative Industries Park, showcasing more than 1,100 works by 252 artists from nine countries until Aug. 30. Participants include Japan’s Toshitaka Nabata, the artist behind the “Kobitos” series, and Taiwan illustrator Abby, who created the Banana Man set of stickers for the popular instant messaging application Line. The exhibition, which has free admission, also features creations by emerging local talents, including works depicting the inner workings of the human mind by an 11-year-old Taiwan illustrator who draws under the pen name Milu Deer. “Illustration is an accessible art form conveying messages through minimal strokes. It allows imaginations to run free and reminds viewers of their childhoods,” Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung said at the opening ceremony of the event, which is sponsored by the Asian Illustration Society in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture and Taichung City Government. According to Liu Rui-long, chairman of AIS, the awards will deepen cooperation between Taiwan-based illustrators and their overseas counterparts. “This exhibition of artworks by outstanding Asian illustrators will promote exchanges between Taiwan and overseas talents on innovative ideas and skills, helping strengthen the local animated film and illustration sectors,” he said. In his address, Lin highlighted Taichung’s status as an emerging center of animation and film production, noting the city government has invested NT$2 billion (US$62.3 million) in transforming Wufeng District into the center of film and television production in Taiwan. The mayor also noted municipal authorities plan to establish an innovation hub for the animation and comic book industries at the Shuinan Trade Zone, also known as the Taichung Gateway, and to subsidize software training initiatives for animators and illustrators. Taichung achieved global recognition in the film production industry after Taiwan-born director Ang Lee built a giant wave tank at the shuttered Shuinan Airport to shoot scenes for his 2012 Oscar-winning epic “Life of Pi.” Taichung City Government has since initiated construction on a movie production complex at Shuinan, with work expected to be completed in 2018. (WF-CM) Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw