-
The Legend of Bai Zei Qi — Illustration Solo Exhibition by Chou Hsiao-Lan
Exhibition Period: March 3, 2026 – March 30, 2026
Venue: Commercial Design Gallery, Ming Chuan University (3rd Floor, Design Building)
No. 5, Deming Rd., Guishan District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan▍Creative Concept
The exhibited series “The Legend of Bai Zei Qi” (THE LEGEND OF BAI ZEI QI) was originally created in 2020 as part of an interdisciplinary collaboration with the Taiwan Traditional Orchestra of the National Center for Traditional Arts. During the performance, the illustrations were projected onto the stage as background visuals. Combined with traditional Chinese orchestral music and the rhythm of a storyteller’s narration, the background images were changed dynamically throughout the performance. Through a lively and humorous presentation, the audience was immersed in a sensory experience where visual art and music intertwined.
Bai Zei Qi is a well-known Taiwanese folk tale. In the Taiwanese Hokkien language, “bai zei” refers to lying or bragging, and thus “Bai Zei Qi” has become a nickname for someone who constantly tells tall tales. The story follows the mischievous protagonist Bai Zei Qi and his many elaborate tricks, including episodes such as “The Fire Farce,” “The Leaf Treasure Coat,” “The Hunchback’s Healing Bag,” and “The Fragrant Q Pork Knuckle Magic Pot.” These classic scenes are linked together in a story that is simple yet witty, appealing to audiences of all ages with its playful humor.
In terms of character design, round and plump figures symbolize the naïve and greedy personalities of the uncle and sister-in-law, while the thin and wiry body of Bai Zei Qi highlights his sly and cunning, mouse-like character. Bai Zei Qi is depicted wearing cropped blue-and-white pajama pants, with crescent-shaped smiling eyes and a bowl-cut hairstyle reminiscent of a short mushroom cut shaved on both sides—features that naturally evoke a sense of humor. This blend of retro style and trendy fashion creates a comical aesthetic with a touch of postmodernism.
Many illustrations incorporate backgrounds inspired by early Taiwanese military dependents’ villages and cultural imagery—such as Hakka floral fabrics, old streets, water buffalo, stone mills, and brick houses. By reinterpreting traditional elements through innovative visual approaches, the works preserve and reinterpret cultural heritage and the historical memory of the land.
▍Exhibitor
Chou, Shiao-Lan▍Biography
Currently:
Adjunct Lecturer at Ming Chuan University; Art Education Teacher at Mandarin Daily News; Contract Art Teacher at Kuang-Jen High School.Practice:
Illustration, picture book creation, and the development of handmade cultural and creative products. She has also served multiple times as a judge for county and city art exhibitions and official competitions. Her works have been exhibited in Taiwan, Korea, and China.
