Co-organized by the Cultural Division of Taipei Representative Office in Italy and the Cultural Association NOI ALTRI (Associazione Culturale NOI ALTRI) in Milan, the traveling exhibition "Taiwan on Tour (TATO)" will feature 26 works by 8 Taiwanese illustrators at four festivals including ILLUSTRI Festival in Vicenza, Graphic Days in Torino, Fruit Exhibition in Bologna, and BookCity in Milan from June 25 to Nov. 20.
The eight participating illustrators are Lin Lian-en (林廉恩), whose work "Home" won the top prize at the BolognaRagazzi Award in the fiction category in 2021; Huang Yi-wen (黃一文) and Chang Hsiao-chi (張筱琦), who were both selected for the Bologna Illustration Exhibition for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022; Chen Pei-hsiu (陳沛珛), a two-time finalist for the Angoulême Prize for Young Talent in France; Chen Chu-li (陳姝里), who previously won the V&A Illustration Award in the UK and 3X3 Illustration Show in the US; Hsueh Hui-Yin (薛慧瑩), who was nominated for the Bologna Illustration Exhibition and published many children’s books; Chia (奇亞子), who was selected for the World illustration Awards in 2017; and Hsieh Pei-fen (謝沛芬), who was nominated for the 3x3 Contemporary Illustration Award in 2020. Many of these participants are exhibiting their works in Italy for the first time, and the eight emerging illustrators will present warm and inclusive images through their works.
To attract the attention of the Italian people to Taiwan's illustrations and publications as well as promote Taiwan's high-quality visual art culture, the organizer invited Taiwanese illustrator Chen Chu-li to design a van that was modified from a 1979 Italian FIAT238 classic vintage vehicle, covering the van with colorful illustrations. Under the theme of "Daily Life," the touring exhibition showcases Taiwan's diverse culture and its lifestyle through the perspective of drawing creations.
Extending the concept of the Bologna Children's Books Fair, the exhibition will also collaborate with famous Italian exhibition brands to create joint marketing plans. According to the president of the Cultural Association NOI ALTRI, Andrea Angeli, TATO means "cute boy" in Italian and symbolizes the meaning of "never forget your initial goal" and the courage to take risks.