Shaun Tan

About

Shaun Tan is an Australian artist, writer, and filmmaker born on January 15, 1974, in Fremantle, Western Australia, to parents Bing Tan (Malaysian-Chinese) and Christine Tang (Anglo-Irish). Known as "the good drawer" in school, he developed an early passion for illustration, publishing his first work in the science fiction magazine Aurealis at age 16. He graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1995 with a degree in Fine Arts, English Literature, and History, and subsequently established himself as a freelance illustrator and author. Tan is best known for his richly illustrated books dealing with social, political, and historical subjects through surreal, dreamlike imagery and semi-mechanical, abstract creatures on imaginary landscapes. His works, including the wordless graphic novel The Arrival (2006) and the picture book The Lost Thing (2000), have been widely translated and enjoyed by readers of all ages. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award for the animated short film adaptation of The Lost Thing, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (2011), and the Kate Greenaway Medal (2020). Tan currently works as a full-time freelance artist, writer, and filmmaker based in Melbourne.

Surrealism with dreamlike imagery, semi-mechanical and abstract creatures, semi-abstract works inspired by everyday observation, dealing with themes of loss, alienation, and social subjects