As an illustrator, Shirley Chiang makes a pretty good researcher too! These are some images from her latest book, ‘To-pa Hung – The Champion of Ethnic Melting’. Commissioned by  the Lucas Publishing Company, Shirley had to delve deep into the archives to research the main characters and history before putting pen to paper.

The story is about a ‘foreign’ emperor from around 1000 years ago. He was not a ‘Han’ , meaning he was a foreigner, who invaded China and ‘Hanised’ his own people. Everyone had to speak chinese and wear chinese clothes or they’d be punished. Shirley’s illustrations catalogue this brief, chaotic and important period in China’s history.

Which goes to show, a little research goes a long, long way.

Categories: Shirley Chiang