Based on the early narratives of Journey to the West
Over the past century, the Monkey King has starred in over 100 films and television programmes, becoming a prominent figure from Disney to Hollywood. He is widely believed to originate from the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West. This project traces the Monkey King's history and reveals that this iconic character significantly predates this novel.
Rooted in the earliest surviving literary works depicting the Monkey King, the project integrates findings primarily from the Tang and Song dynasties (around the 7th to 13th centuries) religious art and historical sites to reconstruct the character's early portrayal before the publication of 16th-century illustrated versions of Journey to the West.
Integrating interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, and historical research, including a comparative study of the Monkey King and Hanuman, this practice-led research contributes new insights to the long-standing debate regarding the origins of the Monkey King. Through character design, it underscores the cultural exchanges along the Silk Road and demonstrates how myths and mythological figures evolve through intercultural dialogues.
The illustrations used natural pigments in their creation, adhering to traditional techniques and promoting environmental sustainability. The exhibition offers a visual re-imagining of a classic character rooted in mythological tradition, enriching the understanding of cultural continuity and innovation.
