Exploring Sorrow and Language Through Picture Books

Description

Can we talk about my sorrows? brings together original art from two picture books: Where Should I Put My Sorrows?, which traces a little girl’s journey with her persistent grief, and Can we Say?, an adaptation of the poem by Xi Xi that uses playful wordplay to overturn the rules of language and authority. The latter title, inspired by the childlike questioning and imaginative spirit of Xi Xi, follows a boy and a black cat on curious adventures that open up new perspectives on the world.

The show features sketches, life-size cut-outs and finished illustrations, drawing audiences into two picture-book narratives: one about carrying sorrow and the gentle solace of friendship, the other about breaking boundaries through language and creative rebellion. Artists Ah Li and Joanne Liu — working under the name All Things Bright and Beautiful — demonstrate how picture books create a quiet, welcoming space for discussing difficult emotions and bridging childhood and adulthood through art that invites both reflection and joy.