If the word ‘awesomest’ was an illustration (or even a word) then it would be illustrated by Shaun Tan. Tan is the king of Australian book illustration and creator of last years award winning comic book THE ARRIVAL.
Typically Tan’s stories are allegories about the human condition, his skill as an artist and writer is to take everyday themes and create an extraordinary and hallucinatory experience. The beauty in Tan’s work is his ability to create visually stunning imagery without allowing it to dominate his narrative thread. Simplicity is the key in Tan’s books. It’s revealed amongst a backdrop of fantastic worlds and luscious imagery page by page by page.**
Tan’s latest work, TALES FROM OUTER SUBURBIA, follows similar terrain. This time there are a series of short stories linked together by whimsical and surreal events that occur in the very real places of suburban Australia. The strength of the book is its ability to tell stories as if they were your own, enhanced by Tan’s beautiful imagery.
* See Shaun Tan speak next Thursday June 12, 4pm at Shearer’s on Norton. 99 Norton St, Leichhardt. Or Thursday June 12, 7pm at Kinokuniya. 500 George St, City. RSVP 9262 7996.
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