Spill The Tea
Applied Illustration
2021
'Spill The Tea' is a tea party where one can invite their parents/loved ones to have healthy conversations about unspoken taboos in traditional Chinese culture – namely body piercings/modifications, tattoos, LGBTQ+ and the policing of women's clothing, all which form an important part in how one expresses their identity. The format of a tea party plays into the idea of traditional Chinese views as tea forms a large part of traditional Chinese culture (medicine, ceremonies etc.). Tea sessions also entail conversation which is what we need to be holding for parents to understand children's views on said topics vice versa.
Since the event is a tea party, my deliverables are an invitation card, a teapot from which guests will drink tea from, as well as a tea packaging box with tea to be drunk at the event or brought home. Through illustrating provocative imagery and placing them onto objects deeply rooted in traditional Chinese history, the juxtaposition challenges the notion of what these traditional objects represent, which is in itself is the essence of the event – the differing beliefs of the older and younger generation. Guests are forced to confront these provocative and sexual imagery while drinking tea, hopefully aiding their conversation about the unspoken taboos. The dark blue and white colour scheme also references tattoo ink as well as traditional Chinese porcelain.
Full Illustrations
Spill The Tea
2021
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Illustration for Designers Project, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), School of Art, Design & Media.