In the art book of Kui from the South Island, a gracefully dressed and serene girl often appeared, whether she was in the woods during journeys or outings, by rivers and sea ferries, in towns, or indoors enjoying the view. She always maintained a comfortable rhythm and shared short writings from her own thoughts or favorite authors.
The guest speaker for the eighth edition of the Bananafish Summer Reading Club was Kui from the South Island. She brought with her four ZINES she had created since 2019 and other books from her collection to share with everyone. This reading club was themed around her latest ZINE, “Poetic Ordinary Life,” which represented her current state of mind and the sharing of her creative insights with everyone.
About the Artist
South Island, an illustrator and artist currently based in Shanghai, specializes in using painting to depict everyday life. She focuses on creating a sense of atmosphere and inner emotions through elements from daily life.
She has held several solo art exhibitions, including “Drawing Life,” “Our Wonderland,” “This Moment, a Poetic Life” , and “In the Alternation of Green Days and Blue Nights”. During these exhibitions, she created and self-published four independent art books: “Island Travel” , “London Streets,” “In the Alternation of Green Days and Blue Nights”, and “Poetic Ordinary Life.” Her related books and art pieces have also been exhibited at the 2023 UNFOLD Shanghai Art Book Fair.
Event Date:
Sunday, September 3, 2023
Time:
15:00 – 16:30
Part 1: ZINES from Southisland
“Island Travels” (2019)
“Island Travels” is an original art book that compiles all the hand-drawn illustrations I created for this series. Traveling back and forth on ferries in the Seto Inland Sea is a form of self-exile, a journey of the soul. I captured six memorable moments from the trip in these images, hoping to resonate with readers and bring them along on the journey. “When you look at my art, you become a part of it.”
“London Streets” (2019)
The series of works in “London Streets” began with a journey, with the intention of capturing the memories of a city, starting from its streets. For instance, one can imagine a scene: the morning light in London illuminates the buildings and gradually brings each street to life. Walking along these streets, one can feel a different history beneath their feet. Walking the streets of this city, you can hear its pulse, sense its emotions, and even engage in a dialogue with the city itself.
“Amidst Green Days and Blue Nights” (2022)
Wandering through the blue of the night, shining in the green of the day. This original art book contains a series of 12 works created between 2021 and 2022, titled “Amidst Green Days and Blue Nights.” In terms of content, it continues to depict scenes from everyday life, using elements from nature to focus on conveying the overall atmosphere and intuitive feelings of the images. “In ordinary years, I silently love all of this. Day by day, I think, night by night, I dream, wanting to dedicate it to you, who are far away.”
“Poetic Ordinary Life” (2023)
“Poetic Ordinary Life” is an art book that features two series, “Confessing the Poetry in Life’s Scenery” and “Four Seasons,” comprising a total of 12 artworks. These artworks depict scenes from everyday life. Gazing at the stars, watching sunsets, listening to the waves, and exploring mountains and rivers—all of this, in my view, is a form of poetry in life. The poetic aspects of life involve a beautiful state of experiencing nature. The ever-cycling seasons, the continuous growth of all living things, the colors of the sea, the shades of greenery, and the romantic hues of sunsets all embellish our ordinary days. While we gather in cities, where life perhaps holds its greatest meaning, let us not forget the sun, the moon, and the forests in our hearts. May everyone’s lives continue to be filled with anticipation, poetry, and love.
Part 2: SHARING Books List
Staying true to our tradition, the reading club didn’t just feature the author’s own books. Southisland also brought books that she believed were worth sharing with the readers, books that resonated with her personal preferences. Some of these were even acquired at this year’s UNFOLD Book Fair.
In the following text, we shared Southisland’s written descriptions of these books with everyone. During the live reading club event, attendees had the opportunity to peruse these books and hear more in-depth insights from our guest. It was indeed an exciting occasion!
Silent Depths by Mark Strand
“Silent Depths” is a book written by American poet Mark Strand. It selects thirty paintings by Hopper and meticulously interprets them using the language of poetry, considering both content and geometric form.
Devoted to Life by Lawrence Weschler
David Hockney is a charismatic artist who constantly explores cutting-edge art forms. The author, Lawrence Weschler, documents the ever-evolving artistic style of this artist and his reflections on art: his insightful views on Picasso’s cubism, astonishing discoveries in European modern painting techniques, unique insights into traditional Chinese painting, and his exploration of modern technology as a tool for painting.
“Written for Those Who Don’t Listen to the Sea on Friday Mornings”
A Collection of Poems by Pablo Neruda
This poetry collection features representative works by Pablo Neruda from different periods and styles. He writes to himself, to his loved ones, and to the world. Through poetry, we open an invisible window that allows us to see distant and unique landscapes beyond the layers of reality.
Books Southisland collected at this year’s Shanghai Art Book Fair:
“Inverted Nature,” “Same Place,” and “POSTCARDS.”
More Photos
The booth layout for Southisland at the Shanghai Art Book Fair
from June 9th to June 11th, 2023.
