Fantasy Artist SHU’s Alice In Wonderland-Inspired Paintings Showcased In New Exhibition

Ever since Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was published in 1865, characters and scenes from the book have inspired people around the world. Today in Japan, we can see everything from fashion and dessert buffets inspired by Alice. But perhaps the most important influence is in contemporary art.

SHU's Alice-inspired works

You could say that Japanese fantasy illustrator SHU has a fixation on Alice. Known for creating colorful and detailed fantasy worlds on a grand scale, realized with an antique touch which he developed on his own, SHU's unique style of digital painting has been met with high critical appraise, most particularly his Alice in Wonderland series, which he began in 2010.

This painting "Alice Library," a part of which is reproduced below, was the most important work in a new chapter in the series:

"Alice's World As Painted by SHU" 「SHUの描くアリスの世界展」

In a new exhibition planned for Nagoya and Tokyo, SHU will unveil a new painting tentatively entitled "Alice Symphony," as well as other new works. The painting will feature a joyous scene in which Alice and other familiar characters from the story are playing musical instruments.

In addition to the new painting, the exhibition will also feature SHU's previous works in the Alice in Wonderland series. A talk show and autograph signing is also scheduled.

Exhibition Details

Nagoya

Dates: April 27th to 29th
Place: 8F (803-804), Wink Aichi (Aichi Prefectural Industry and Labor Center)
Times: 11:00 to 19:00 (17:00 on 29th)

Tokyo

Dates: May 10th to 12th
Place: Gallery Next 2, Akihabara UDX
Times: 10th: 14:00 to 19:00, 11th: 11:00 to 19:00, 12th: 11:00 to 17:00

Alice in Wonderland Series

Understandably, SHU has not made any images of "Alice Symphony" available prior to the exhibition. However, we can show you some of the other works from the series which are scheduled to be exhibited as well: