Page 10: We each have ways that, to some, may seem strange.
Artist: Poan.
Page description and purpose: Poan's unique artistic language and colour palette add a distinctive stylistic element to the book. I particularly loved seeing his sketches and drafts done before the final polished piece, and I asked if he would be happy to share them for the book. The drafts symbolise that life is progressive, messy, and ever-changing. Growing pains are real at all stages of life—it’s ok to change perspective. By celebrating the entire creative journey, this page teaches us to embrace the strange, beautiful, and ever-changing process of being human. It reframes our perceived "strangeness" not as a flaw, but as essential evidence of our unique transformation, directly disarming the fear that fuels othering in ourselves and in others. By sharing the progression and evolution of the drawing as it comes to life, it not only shows the work that goes into the final piece but also represents the transformations we each go through in time with life. Poan's image will incorporate different stages of life to show that as we age, our wisdom should deepen and our perspectives broaden—but only if we don’t stay set in our ways. Otherwise, we just harden, erode, and rust. Movement is essential—of body, mind, and spirit. Remember that life is an experience, not a performance. Embrace this dance of existence, unashamed of our quirks and not shying away from our own and others' differences. We can be adaptable and open, and learn to love our own 'strangeness' and the strangeness of strangers.
Poan, welcome to All Other, Together. I'm so glad to have you. Your willingness to share your drafts and creative process is a perfect embodiment of the book's message. Rose
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Instead of applying the typical Human Evolution kind of perspective, I was inspired by Edward Muybridge's photography of the jumping motion. It creates a narrative with not only the ageing/ time-passing process but also a layer of dramatic tension. Also, instead of the walking cycle, I believe that this jump motion reflects that "we each have ways that to some may seem strange". Poan
My name is Poan, and I am a Taiwan-based illustrator. I use soft palettes and coloured pencils as my primary tools. My illustration celebrates the movement and warmth of humanity, capturing the essence of awkwardness in everyday life. Resonating with daily life's awkwardness, my illustrations reflect the quirks and nuances of human posture and movement. I would like to inspire viewers to embrace their uniqueness and find joy in unexpected moments. With an optimistic colour palette, I convey the magic of humanity, inviting others to appreciate the beauty in our imperfections.