Taiwanese comic artists Li Lung-chieh (李隆杰) and Ko You-shi (柯宥希) will be bringing their award-wining works — "1661 Koxinga Z" and "Why Not? 3" — to the 2019 MoCCA Arts Festival running from April 6 through 7 in New York. Upon the arrangement of the Taipei Cultural Center in New York, a Taiwan Comics Night will also be held on April 9 at the US Society of Illustrators.
Li, 36, is a Taiwanese comic artist who illustrates significant episodes and intriguing anecdotes from the nation's history. The combination of local customs with bold and explicit fighting scenes provide an alluring glimpse of the forces that shaped Taiwan.
His stand-alone comic "1661 Koxinga Z" pits Federick Coyette, the last Dutch governor of Taiwan, against the titular Koxinga, a young Ming loyalist and son of a pirate who would eventually establish his own kingdom on Formosa. It captured the Comic of the Year title at Taiwan's Golden Comic Awards in 2018.
As an expert in fresh and transparent painting techniques, Ko presents moving stories that have conquered the hearts of countless readers. The 36-year-old artist, who goes by the penname Cory Ko (顆粒), believes that one must first thoroughly experience life before formulating a story.
Her "Why Not? 3" goes beyond the average campus romance by exploring the shifting dynamics among best friends Cheng and Jheng-hsin, and Cheng's baby sister Ni Ni. The serialized story touches upon friendships, same-sex partnerships, and societal expectations, garnering the Best Comic for Teenage Girls at the 2018 Golden Comic Awards.
Li and Ko will greet visitors at Booth J283-284 of the MoCCA (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art) Arts Festival, the largest annual gathering of independent illustrators, animators, and comic artists in New York City. This year's edition at Metropolitan West is expected to attract creators, publishers, and literary scouts from around the world.
A one-night-only event on April 9 will also see the two Taiwanese comic artists give a lecture at the Society of Illustrators, during which they will discuss their respective creative process, hold live demonstrations, and share the features of made-in-Taiwan comics.
Taiwan Comics @ MoCCA Arts Festival
Taiwan Comics Night @ Society of Illustrators