Creature

A beautiful collection of paintings, drawings and reflections on creatures, our constant companions, from the masterful narrative artist Shaun Tan.
A creature does not necessarily represent one thing or another; it just is. A mysterious being in a mysterious world, much like you and me, trying to fit in, trying to be unique, or just trying to make sense of things as best we can, to exist.

World-renowned artist Shaun Tan turns his hand to the theme of creatures. The first thing Shaun ever drew as a child was a creature, and they are still at the heart of his work. This volume collects together unseen and stand-alone drawings and paintings, along with rich and thoughtful commentary from Shaun on his inspirations. Delving deep into the timeless allure of non-human creatures, and what they might tell us about our 'normal' human selves, this book is perfect for artists, writers and dreamers alike.

Shaun Tan grew up in Perth and works as an artist, writer and film-maker in Melbourne, best known for illustrated books that deal with social, political and historical subjects through dream-like imagery. The Rabbits, The Red Tree, Tales from Outer Suburbia and the graphic novel The Arrival have been widely translated throughout the world and enjoyed by readers of all ages. Shaun has also worked as a theatre designer, a concept artist for Pixar and won an Academy Award for the short animated film The Lost Thing. In 2011 he received the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in Sweden, in recognition of his services to literature for young people. His most recent books are Rules of Summer, The Singing Bones and Tales from the Inner City, which won the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal in 2020.