Hong Kong artist Tik Ka blew us all away last February when he released a series of Chinese nianhua, or “New Year art”-influenced Star Wars portraits, in his own signature 2D “baby-faced” style.
It looks like Tik Ka’s love for Star Wars is still going strong, as he’s just released another series of beautiful paintings called “Chinese New Year Flower“, featuring characters from a galaxy far, far away.
This time, the artist’s opted to depict the beloved characters in a traditional monochrome “inkwash” style, with a flower or plant which is selectively coloured to contrast against the dark ink portrait. Tik Ka has specifically incorporated different types of plants that are traditionally bought during the Lunar New Year period, hence why Boba Fett (above), everyone’s favourite galactic bounty hunter, is pictured with a golden-yellow chrysanthemum.
Continuing the theme, wise, wise, Yoda’s pictured holding a stalk of lucky bamboo. We suppose it’s not his gimer staff, but this curly li’l guy is believed to bring happiness and prosperity.
Darth Vader, on the other hand, has a gladiolus – known in Chinese as “劍蘭”, or “sword orchid” – in place of his iconic red lightsaber.
Harking back to happier days, here’s a pre-Vader Anakin Skywalker with his future wife, Padmé Amidala, on their meadow picnic date from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (visually beautiful scene, but the less said about that film, the better). Instead of the wildflowers pictured in the movie, however, Tik Ka’s version envisions the couple surrounded by white-and-yellow narcissus flowers, which are believed to bring good fortune.
Of course, we could forgive you for not recognising the Queen of Naboo in the field painting, as most people associate the character with this get-up. Above, Padmé’s pictured holding a pot of orchids in her formal throne room get-up: a heavy, ornate red and gold cloak dress, geisha-inspired makeup, and an enormous padded hairstyle that makes Princess Leia’s cinnamon bun hair look low-key.
Come to think of it, this regal ensemble is actually pretty befitting of the Lunar New Year, what with all the pomp, circumstance, and auspicious colours.
After all that’s said and done, we have to say our favourite from Tik Ka’s “Chinese New Year Flower” series might be this picture of BB-8. Whilst this rotund little astromech droid has only been part of the Star Wars universe for just over a year, we think it’s safe to say that he’s become a firm fan favourite in a very short amount of time. Here, Tik Ka has placed Beebee next to his New Year doppelganger: a perfectly plump mandarin orange. Bless.
Tik Ka began posting paintings from this series at around 1am yesterday and has been updating his Facebook album regularly here. Fingers crossed for a Threepio/Chewie portrait!
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Check out this Hong Kong artist’s adorable, Chinese-influenced Star Wars art
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