Exploring Kaohsiung Through Illustrations
Illustrators Huang Siang and Chiaos bring Kaohsiung to life with their vibrant colors and distinct artistic styles.
Huang Siang（黃湘）
Christmas is Huang Siang's favorite holiday. In 2023, she designed the key visual that featured in Kaohsiung's Christmas and New Year's Eve Carnival. This year, her creative illustrations captured the joyful atmosphere of Kaohsiung Main Station （高雄車站）, the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts（Weiwuying）（衛武營）, and the Dream Mall（夢時代）.
The station is her favorite place to go when she wants to explore the city. She shared, "You don't have to meet up with friends; just being here alone immerses you in the festive vibe." She views the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) and Dream Mall as spacious and welcoming venues that are perfect for enjoying winter festivities and celebrating Christmas in Kaohsiung.
Chiaos（角斯）
Chiaos' illustrations specialize in depictions of Taiwanese folklore creatures and deities. He has practiced this unique artistic form since 2012. His publications include Taiwan Monsters（台灣妖怪地誌）and THE TALES from TAIWAN（妖怪画誌）.
While researching inspiration for his work, he has uncovered many local stories.
While working on the creation of the Tiger God（虎爺）, he discovered two tiger statues (one large and one small) under the altar of Baosheng Dadi (the Chinese god of medicine 保生大帝 at Cihji Temple慈濟宮) near Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung. The statues resembled a parent and child, with adorable tilted heads. He also illustrated Jhang Yao（麞妖）, a legendary creature said to inhabit Banping Mountain, known for wailing during fires as if he is warning people of imminent danger. Through his art, Chiaos preserves and brings to life the cherished local folklore.
用插畫挖掘高雄味
文/蘇宇翎
插畫家「黃湘」及「角斯」，分別以色彩斑斕的線條、大膽且獨特的創作風格，繪出他們對高雄的觀察。
黃湘
聖誕節是黃湘最期待的節日，2023年時，她曾為「高雄聖誕跨年嘉年華」繪製主視覺，這次她將想像再次延伸，用柔軟細緻的線條展現高雄車站、衛武營和夢時代的歡樂氛圍。高雄車站帶給她許多靈感，也是探索高雄的最佳場所，她說：「不一定要約朋友，就算一個人來到這裡，就能感受到明顯的節慶氣氛。」另外，衛武營與夢時代開闊舒適、空間寬敞，也是她認為冬季遊高雄、過聖誕的好地點。
角斯
以繪製臺灣妖怪、神明為主的插畫家「角斯」，從2012年起，開始耕耘妖怪插畫的領域，已陸續出版《台灣妖怪地誌》、《妖怪画誌》等書。在田野調查的過程中，他挖掘出許多地方的小故事，比方創作虎爺過程中，他發現高雄蓮池潭附近的慈濟宮，在主祀保生大帝神桌下的虎爺，一大一小，宛如親子虎，歪頭模樣相當可愛；他也將傳說中棲息於半屏山，遇火災會哀鳴，彷彿在警示人們的「麞妖」傳說繪製成圖，保留了地方珍貴記憶。