While in Tokyo earlier this spring I visited The World Of Shaun Tan : Welcome To Nowhere exhibition held at the Chihiro Art Museum in Kami-Igusa, Tokyo. The exhibition showcases the paintings and drawings of Australian artist Shaun Tan, whose picture book The Lost Thing (1999) was adapted into an Academy Award-winning animated short film in 2010. This is the artist’s first exhibition in Japan.

No photographs were allowed in the exhibition, but as with most art exhibitions held in Japan there is always an exhibition catalog on sale, which collects all the art work shown. Below are preview images from the book –

I’ve seen Shaun Tan’s picture books in stores before but have never actually explored his work in detail, but seeing his original drawings in person I’m marveled by the exquisite detail and visual ideas he has woven into his work. I’m not sure if his available English books include reference and studies he used when creating his art work, but there’s quite a number on display at the exhibition ( and included in the catalog as well ).

(above & below) Also on display at the exhibition were a collection of the artist’s oil paintings.

I’m happy to have been properly introduced to Shaun Tan’s work by viewing his original drawings at this exhibition, and this art book serves an excellent catalog documenting a huge portfolio of the artist’s art works, especially his preparatory sketches and references. Recommended.

“The World Of Shaun Tan : Welcome To Nowhere ショーン・タンの世界 どこでもないどこかへ 図鑑″ details :

– Dimensions – 10.1 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
– softcover, 192 pages
– full color, in Japanese

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