Reviving Tradition Through Art: Hsianglin Tseng's Village Ghosts

Blending Taiwan's Traditional Elements with Modern Storytelling

Derived from the designer's memories of life in an old village, Village Ghosts is a testament to the power of storytelling. The project, a series of book illustrations, was inspired by the interesting events that unfolded in the life of that era. It is a collaborative effort between the writer, Yi Kang Feng, and the illustrator, Hsianglin Tseng, whose combined imagination has resulted in this unique series of works.

What sets Village Ghosts apart from other illustrations is its unique blend of traditional Taiwanese elements and an interesting narrative. While the stories revolve around ghosts, they subtly capture the warmth and connection between living beings. The illustrations, done in pencil and ink, are a reflection of this unique narrative, bringing to life the magical world of the stories in black and white.

The project, which started in February 2017 and was completed in May 2017, uses an interesting approach to describe love, life, ghosts, and living people. The challenge was to combine the real story and traditional culture in the project, using only black and white to create the magical world. The result is a series of illustrations that not only capture the imagination of the writer but also bring the reader closer to the traditional culture of Taiwan.

Village Ghosts has been recognized for its creativity and innovation, winning the Silver A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award in 2019. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.

In conclusion, Hsianglin Tseng's Village Ghosts is a unique illustration project that successfully blends traditional Taiwanese elements with modern storytelling. It is a testament to the power of art and design in reviving traditions and bringing to life the memories of an old village era. The project, with its unique narrative and captivating illustrations, offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of art, culture, and lifestyle.