[Review] Artbook - ENO ~Marquee Moon~
TITLE: Marquee Moon
artist: ENO.
SIZE: Close to the size of an avg. magazine
FORMAT: softcover
Publication date: 04.2007
PAGE: 95, full color
PRICE: $28.8 RMB (about 4 USD)
ISBN: 9787531818083
SHOP Amazon.cn
Web: Her Chinese blog w/ a lot of her current work pictures
Overall Rating: 4/5
art: 5/5
content: 4/5
layout: 4/5
This artbook contain a selection of Eno's novel illustrations. The book opens up with a short full color manga, where the calligrapher's work and his dream collides together. Is it reality or is it fantasy? Who's the girl in the lotus pond? Then, Eno takes you into the world of a 19th C. pianist. A dark and sad world. Foulness surrounds the air, little creatures creeps in the dead woods. But time moves on, and so does the pianist and his music as he waits. Then, instantly, the art takes you to a more happier times; a sunny afternoon or a day in the fields. But a nostalgic feeling of loneliness lingered in the character's eyes. After that, Eno changes to a time "As the World Falls Down." A medieval fantasy battle between light and darkness; skulls, man in armors, dark horses, butterflies filled every page with their brilliant colors. Finally, the book enters into a more traditional Chinese world where men drape themselves with many layers of fine silk. Fans, manuscripts, and swords decorated the setting along with the elegance and grace of lotus flowers.
It was "love at first sight" when it comes to this artist. Not only is her style very unique, it's the type of art that connects to me. Her work is beyond beautiful, most of the time, there is something the exact opposite of beauty that takes place side by side her graceful drawings; there is sadness in the eyes and loneliness in the face of people who look like they have waited since forever in a empty world. The additional little details of endless vines and flower (especially lotus) truly brings you into a world where you wonder if this is a reality or a dream. There is a lot of angst in her characters, you probably won't find a smiling face in this book. Yet, it makes the character even more mysterious. I always wanted to know who they're staring at, what are they thinking, who are they waiting for, who are they desiring?
Eno's work is by far the best I have seen among Chinese artists. She brings so much diversity into her art that you simply cannot ever get bored of it. You never know what you might have missed when you look at her work the 2nd or 3rd time.
A Note from Eno.
To me, drawing is a lonely journey in which it makes a person become independent from the rest of the world.
I always try to overcome this type of loneliness.
However, when there is no inspiration, loneliness becomes a beast. It makes the heart even more empty. During times like this, going out to play or see other's work, regardless of writing or photography, it all part of art.
Therefore, let outside excitements transform into a kind of ability. :)
Preview
