Chen Yung-chieh
Chen Yung-chieh is an American comics artist from Taiwan, whose works have been published both in the United States and Taiwan. His style blends Western realism with Eastern expressiveness. Formerly a product designer, Chen transforms storytelling into soulful products that fulfill society’s needs.
- Location France / Blois
- Year of the Grant 2022
- Residency bd BOUM – Maison de la bd
- Work SACRIFICE #5
French people take pride in their comics styles. Even if they only cater to a small number of readers, they keep to their unique path. The comics here are mainly watercolors. This makes their linear style highly fluid and continual. In contrast, American comics, which primarily use ink pens, look rough and techno. Towards the end of the residency, I began experimenting with new mediums for creating visuals, such as paintbrushes, watercolors, and fluorescent markers.
The backdrop of the comics stories I created during the residency is a religious battle against demons in an ancient town in 15th century Europe. Many of the landmarks in Blois, such as the Blois Cathedral, Church of Saint Nicholas and Saint Laumer, and Blois Castle, serve as the main background elements. I incorporated the architecture and monster ornaments of the Blois Castle into my latest work Sacrifice #5, which will be published soon.
Maison de la bd is essentially a comics institution focusing on exhibitions and education. Artist residency is not its main objective, unlike in Angoulême where resident artists are the priority. However, in terms of exhibitions and education, I have been deeply inspired. On the first day of the residency, I took part in a comics festival as the only Asian comics artist. All the other participating artists are highly experienced, and people came to this event as if they were to watch a show. Everyone cherished face-to-face exchange deeply.
During a visit to local universities, I realized that French people hold rather open and diverse aesthetics. In the meantime, they also focus much on artistic essentials for all. In this country that primarily earns money overseas through cultural output, these educational fundamentals are deeply helpful for promoting the comics industry. Along with marketing and branding campaigns, numerous small publishing houses have flourished in France. Perhaps we can learn from what the French do in education and enhance our abilities in outputting culture.
Author: Chen Yung-chieh
Edited: Brix