π πΏ π πΎ π π³ π πΏ π πΎ π πΏ π πΎ π πΏ π πΎ π πΏ π πΎ π πΏ π
About a week or two ago I discovered artist Leia Ham & her reimagined, Chinese version of Lord of the Rings on Twitter. I was stunned into silence! π± I immediately took a screenshot with my phone & made a mental note to feature the series ASAP. Here’s some backstory in Leia’s own words:
“LOTR: Tale of the Middle Kingdom is a personal project that reimagines J.R.R. Tolkienβs world of Middle Earth in a Chinese setting. China is called δΈε½ (ZhΕngguΓ³) – meaning ββThe Middle Kingdom.” Taking inspiration from the books, movies, ancient Chinese artefacts and paintings, this project is a love letter to my own Chinese heritage, seen through the lens of medieval fantasy and historical design.”
*sigh* Not to be dramatic but I would die for these characters & this story. I need a children’s book, graphic novel, animated film, & live-action movie STAT! Somebody please make it happen, I am begging. π I would recommend you start scrolling now. I dare you not to fall in love! π
β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’Β
“A thought that has haunted me for years is ‘what if LOTR but ancient China?’ So I finally made it! Here’s the first look at a series of art I’ll be posting: Frodo at the beginning of the first ‘movie’, and the Fellowship of the Ring.” – Leia Ham on Twitter
β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’Β
“Pt 2 of LOTR: Middle Kingdom: A green, round door, an underground home with a open air courtyard like the siheyuan houses in China. The plaque on Bag End is taken from what they translated it in the Chinese movies. It must be warm and cosy in the winter, I think.” – Leia Ham on Twitter
β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’Β
PHOTO 5
“More of the Shire because that’s my fav place – an inside look to the study where Frodo finishes his book, as well as a hearth conveniently situated for Gandalf to toss the Ring into. I included a little folding screen of the lonely mountain and Smaug for Bilbo.” – Leia Ham on Twitter
β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’Β
“More LOTR: Middle Kingdom! Some thoughts on how the armies would dress themselves, with inspiration from the central Asian steppes for the Rohirrim, and more scholarly, Tang Dynasty influences for the Elves. Also soft yang guifei-esque Arwen because that brings me joy.” – Leia Ham on Twitter
β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’Β
“More LOTR: Middle Kingdom! Rivendell in Chinese limestone cliffs. Mooncake lembas for me because my family makes mooncakes, and they really are quite filling. I didn’t do Lothlorien but just know that it’s a massive gingko forest, so the fellowship brooches reflect that!” – Leia Ham on Twitter
β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’Β
“Rohan!! Forth Eorlingas for Lotr: Middle Kingdom! We’re almost at the end of the project. I think this is my fav spread, because I got to play with being a bit more illustrative. The white hand of Saruman reaching deep into the hall of Meduseld. And my fav best girl Eowyn.” – Leia Ham on Twitter
β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’Β
“One last picture for LOTR: Middle Kingdom – the Argonath. The Anduin is akin to the Yangtze, a great big thing that snakes across the middle kingdom. The fellowship sail past these gates and onto the rest of the story, but the art ends here for now. Thanks for tuning in!” – Leia Ham on Twitter
β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’ β’Β
πΒ Please Support Leia Ham:
β’ INPRNT
β’ Instagram
β’ Linkedin
β’ Twitter
β’ Website
π πΏ π πΎ π π³ π πΏ π πΎ π πΏ π πΎ π πΏ π πΎ π πΏ π πΎ π πΏ π
Subscribe to my blog to receive email notifications, and check out my other links listed below.
β Lauren Michele β€
β¬ Important Links β¬
β’ Previous Post: Carla Stickler Defies Gravity Once Again
β’ Previous Video: Baking Markie the Unicorn Sugar Cookies | Lisa Frank + Pillsbury
β’ Goodreads
β’ Instagram
β’ Lifestyle Blog
β’ Pinterest
β’ Twitter
β’ Youtube
Lauren Michele's Art Blog π¨ 