Define the work of Shaun Tan
Shaun Tan is an Australian visual storyteller. He writes and illustrates children’s picture books, such as The Lost Thing, and The Rabbits. These books, however, are not just your simple picture book. They cover social issues in our world today, including conformity, alienation, loneliness and loss. These books are based either directly or indirectly upon Tan’s observations of life. (59)
How does he use the work of other artists?
Shaun Tan uses appropriation in his illustrations, using works from artists such as Edward Hopper, John Brack, Jeffery Smart and Hieronymus Bosch. These artworks set the scene for his work and help correlate apathy. Tan changes objects within the artist’s illustration to make it his, such as buildings and statues (Jeffrey Smart). (52)
Provide affirmation (pluses) and dissent (minuses) of his use of other artists’. …show more content…
Using another artists work adds emotion, depth and meaning to his (Tan’s) illustration, as well as adding a certain atmosphere (Gloomy, lost, lonely – Jeffery Smart). In other words, the base of the picture has already been created. This is also a bad thing. Appropriation questions whether the artist (Tan) is true to his style, and not just copying for the hell of it. It also influences his originality in his work, and people will say upon observation: “No, that can’t be his work. I saw that artwork in a Gallery, and it was one by Edward Hopper!” (Early Sunday Morning).