Taiwan, previously known as Formosa, has quite an original situation in the region. Because of its geographical position and its insularity, this tropical Southeast Asian island has been subjected to varied cultural and political influences in the course of its history, especially from the Netherlands, China and Japan. The local comics industry has indirectly absorbed this melting pot of influences. And now, after being influenced for many decades by various foreign traditions, Taiwan’s artists and publishers are experiencing a particular time in their history in which these influences are merging with Taiwanese culture’s own resources.
It is the diversity and vitality of Taiwanese comics that the exhibition “Ocean of Taiwan Comics”, held in the courtyard of the Hôtel de Ville in Angoulême, aims to highlight – the heritage of the classics in the work of Cai Zhizhong, the tradition of ink drawings in the work of Chen Uen, mischief and humour for all ages with Ao Youxiang, snappy satire in the comic strips of Chu De-Yung, sophisticated science fiction in Push Comics publications, pastels and romance with Pin Fan and Chen Shu-Fen, and much more.

The Chinese influence is evident – for example, Taiwanese comic book authors have adapted great Chinese classics such as Three Kingdoms and Journey to the West into comic strips. But the Japanese inspiration is equally present – Taiwanese authors have long been emulating the Japanese manga industry’s trio of comics, anime and video games. Taiwanese comics also contain nods to the West, with American comic book-style superheroes and the artistic aspect of European comics.

The exhibition will span Taiwanese comics history, from the first-ever albums to the dujinshi (amateur self-published works) of today’s younger generation of comics authors. Finally, the “Crossover” section of the Taiwan pavilion will look at the bridges between comics and other creative fields in Taiwan – cinema (Seediq Bale, a historical drama, was presented at the 2011 Venice Film Festival), sculpture, music etc.
And 20 Taiwanese comic book creators (including two universally respected figures, Chen Uen and Jolung Chiu) will be coming to France especially for the festival. They will be involved in a number of activities at the 39th Festival – signings, live drawing sessions at the Espace MangAsie, talks and debates, with an unexpected bonus: each of them will keep a diary in pictures of their stay in Angoulême and “broadcast” it daily on the Festival website and its Facebook page.

Special exhibition on Taiwan: “Ocean of Taiwan Comics”
Courtyard of the Hôtel de Ville • Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 January 2012 • 10:00/19:00
Production: Government Information Office, Taipei • Curator and exhibition designer: Locus Publishing Company