Interview by William Chan
“Open World – ‘The Birth and Evolution of Children’s Picture Books’ Exhibition Series” is being held at 10 Fantasia gallery, and its curator, Cynthia Chan Lok Si, has recently talked to the Post about it.
The exclusive interview was held at her workplace in Zape.
Since 2023, Fantasia has been hosting various book exhibitions with the goal of promoting Macau as a “City of Reading.” The current exhibition is a collaborative effort between 10 Fantasia and The Macanese Publishing Ltd., where Chan is an editor.
The first featured book, “Orbis Pictus” (“Visible World in Pictures”), is a children’s picture book authored by Czech educator John Amos Comenius and originally published in 1658. Regarded as one of the earliest widely used children’s textbooks with illustrations, it was initially published in Latin and German before being translated into several other European languages.
According to Chan, the book comprises 150 chapters covering various subjects like humanities, nature, and society, offering a glimpse into 17th-century life through detailed illustrations and descriptions.
Chan noted that “Orbis Pictus” is often considered the first purpose-made children’s picture book. She said, “The exhibition, with words and notes to describe the book, aims to dissect the picture book into three layers: its presentation of the world, its connection with children, and how its methods have endured and influenced modern works. These elements can be seen and contrast in our second exhibition book, ‘[Verb.],’ by local author Lin Ge (林格).”
Discussing Lin’s work, which features a character depicted as a white, ghostly figure, Chan highlighted the author’s exploration of four mental inner demons— “worry, fear, indulgence, stubbornness”—reflecting on contemporary life’s journey and offering spiritual comfort to urban dwellers.
The book’s layout resembles a comic strip, with each page presenting a small scene or story that can be read both sequentially and in reverse. Each chapter has an English verb as its title. Chan added, “While ‘Orbis Pictus’ portrays the reality of the world, ‘[Verb.]’ delves into the author’s emotional landscape. This shift from external to internal themes not only marks a formal evolution but also signifies a profound content alteration, inviting readers into a deeper spiritual realm.”
In the exhibition hall, Chan has also penned a brief picture book titled “The Book of Human Emotions,” inspired by “The Book of Answers” and designed to enhance visitors’ emotional experiences. Additionally, visitors are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings in a blank notebook as a means of anonymous expression, she said.
The exhibition will run until September 26, and admission is free.
This undated photo shows Cynthia Chan Lok Si posing with local author Lin Ge’s book “[Verb.]”. – Photos provided by Chan
This undated photo shows Lin Ge during a presentation.
