Editions GOPE, 108 pages, 16.5x23.3 cm, ISBN 979-10-91328-22-7

samedi 16 août 2014

French artist sketches local life with a stroke of whimsy



[…] Alongside the student work are Broquet’s illustrations from her own carnets de voyage (travel sketchbook) inspired by travels around the world, including Angkor Wat, as well as her graphic novel Suzy Wong et les esprits/Suzy Wong and the spirits.

The drawings tell the imagined story of fictional Chinese prostitute Suzy Wong’s daughter living in modern day Hong Kong and was inspired by Broquet’s travels around China.

The Wong character was created by Richard Mason in his 1957 novel The World of Suzy Wong. Since then she has also been depicted in unofficial sequels, a play, a film and a ballet.

The images follow Wong’s granddaughter as she practices feng shui in hotels all over the world, the whole time protected by three Chinese spirits.

“She travels with them, and during these travels she meets all her uncles and aunties and gathers her family in Hong Kong for the 80th birthday of her grandmother, the real Suzy Wong,” said Broquet. […]

17 June 2014
Emily Wight

samedi 10 mai 2014

Talks - "Suzy Wong and the Spirits" by Virginie Broquet

Talks
Event Date: 
Friday, May 16, 2014 - 18:30
Event Location: 
AF library, 1/F, Jordan Centre

Join Virginie Broquet’s artist sharing!

This talented French illustrator, painter and artist will share with you her passion for comics, arts and fashion and tell you more about her last graphical novel “Suzy Wong and the Spirits”.

Alliance Française Hong Kong


Virginie Broquet is a French artist who writes and draws comic books and travel sketchbooks. She also works for the press, as well as for the advertising and fashion industries. She has been awarded a prize at the prestigious Angoulême festival, the second-largest comics festival in the world.

“Suzy Wong and the Spirits” is a graphic novel for adults dedicated with love to some of Asia’s most fascinating cities. It is a fusion between an artist’s very personal travel sketchbook and a comic book. Giving free reign to her imagination, it is the author’s hope that the work is still firmly grounded in the sensibility of real life.

The talk will be followed by a signing session.

In English and French.
Free admission.
Adult public only.
RSVP : mediatheque@afhongkong.org

_____________

Suzy Wong and the Spirits is available:


vendredi 28 février 2014

Introducing Suzy Wong and the Spirits

Born in Hong Kong on the fifteenth day of the fourth lunar month in the year of the Tiger, Suzy might be an incarnation of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. All she knows for sure is that since her birth, she has been protected by three age-old invisible and mischievous spirits: Godmother Qing Yi, learned Godfather Wen Chou and rough Uncle Jia Zi. As a child Suzy was spoiled rotten by everybody at the brothel managed by her grandmother Wong Su Xi, who had once been famous under the name of Suzie Wong. Our Suzy had a blissful childhood until a mysterious fire killed her mother and destroyed the floating brothel. Sent away to a boarding school, Suzy found she had a gift for feng shui. After graduating summa cum laude, she decided to reconcile with her six uncles and aunts. It would not be easy; they were scattered all over the globe, and each of them involved in either a sleazy business, a dark occult science, or both. But what really happened that fateful night? What drove the Wong family into exile? Will Suzy dare to return to her roots in Hong Kong, in the Aberdeen harbour, where Grandma Su Xi, abandoned by her family and only a shadow of her former self, is waiting?

Editions GOPE, 108 pages, 16.5x23.3 cm, 18.80 €, ISBN 979-10-91328-22-7

"Suzy Wong and the Spirits” is a graphic novel for adults dedicated with love to some of Asia’s most fascinating cities. It is a fusion between an artist’s very personal travel sketchbook and a comic book. Giving free reign to her imagination, it is the author’s hope that the work is still firmly grounded in the sensibility of real life.


“Suzy Wong and the Spirits” is intended for a mature audience.


Virginie Broquet is a French artist who writes and draws comic books and travel sketchbooks. She also works for the press, as well as for the advertising and fashion industries. She has been awarded a prize at the prestigious Angoulême festival, the second-largest comics festival in the world.

Steve Rosse (English text) has been a journalist and editor in Asia and the United States.