In Tùng Nâm’s enchanting illustrations, cats evoke a range of emotions, from curiosity and serenity to friskiness and determination. Surrounded by delicate insects and social betta fish, these felines blend effortlessly with flowers, waves, foliage, and clouds, showcasing their diverse natures.
Nâm’s playful approach includes anthropomorphizing his characters, dressing them in patterned kimonos and adorning them with hair ornaments. The series began from practice sketches of flowers in the ukiyo-e style, which the artist felt were incomplete. “I felt like it was missing something, so I tried to add a cat as the protagonist,” Nâm shared with Colossal. “But it still didn’t feel right, so I thought of adding a companion—fishes, butterfly, dragonfly—like they were encountering each other in a specific moment.” He aptly titled the series An Encounter.
Further inspired by the ukiyo-e genre, Nâm’s collection A Floating World draws from the Japanese concept of ukiyo, which refers to the hedonistic lifestyle of 17th-century Edo (modern-day Tokyo). This art style, popularized by iconic artists like Hokusai and Hiroshige, captured scenes from history, folklore, kabuki theater, flora, fauna, and landscapes.
For Nâm, ukiyo-e serves as a foundation to explore various subjects. He is currently brainstorming ideas for future works that will incorporate more animals and visual cultures.
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