There are many things to look forward to at any Star Wars Celebration Japan. I remember going to one for a fan film premiere and staying for panels by creators, meeting fellow fanfiction writers for the first time and getting some merchandise to remember the event by. There are celebrities to spot and announcements to analyze. For many people, the Art Show is a major attraction. Thanks to Starwars.com, we got our preview of the show.
What do we know about Star Wars Celebration Japan's Art Show?
Per the official site, "The Art Show is a highlight of every Star Wars Celebration... The artwork in this year's group represents illustrations created from a variety of styles and includes artists from around the world." What we have been treated to in this online reveal is as diverse in its style as it is in its range of contributors.
We also know that March 5 at 6 p.m. PT is when pre-orders will become available and that while that sale lasts until March 20, "all prints will be limited to 250 pieces, with 200 available for pre-order and pick up at the Art Show, and 50 reserved for sale at Celebration." It's important to note that there is no shipping for the prints; you can only pick them up at Star Wars Celebration.
What themes and characters are explored in the Star Wars Celebration Art Show?
Revenge of the Sith celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and two selections are certainly paying homage to that. Jonathan Beistline's "Overwhelming Odds" shows Palpatine reigning supreme, with Anakin Skywalker and Count Dooku just below his outstretched arms. To Anakin's left, we find the clones and the Jedi Temple, while Dooku presides over battle droids. Grievous brandishes two lightsabers menacingly over five Jedi Masters. Beistline says that "the symmetrical pyramidal composition mirrors the opposing army of the Republic against the Separatist forces with Palpatine bridging the middle as the grand orchestrator of both sides." The work "underwent several successive passes of digital redrawing, detailing, composition refinement, and coloring to arrive in its final form."
Meanwhile Tsuneo Sanda has depicted "Anakin's Path" with the scarred visage of Anakin Skywalker, his eyes partially concealed by a lightsaber hilt. The arresting image, which "clearly expresses the point of Anakin's heart by stacking a lightsaber, a symbol of power staring at Anakin" uses simple composition in a powerful portrait.
Ahsoka and Amidala are popular characters in this year's show. In "Phantom Menace" by Seth Groves, the portrait of Queen Amidala as she watches the droid invasion of Theed is so strikingly lovely that it would be easy to miss the lower half of the painting. Says Groves, "For the very first time I saw what looked like Darth Maul's face in the reflection of her dress on the marble floor." He decided to feature that more prominently "With this image stuck in my head...with acrylic gouache, and add the gold filigree border inspired by the embroidery of her dress using a gold leaf technique."
Dawn Murphy likewise used this red and gold dress in her "Angel of Naboo," which shows the handmaidens preparing the queen for her confrontation with the Trade Federation. She credits "inspiration from classic fairy tale illustrations." The Queen Amidala makeup was done in a kabuki style, so this is especially appropriate for the host country's event.
Traci Easterday's "A Hero's Journey" is a wonderful exploration of Ahsoka at different stages of her life. Says Easterday, "Rarely do we get to see a character from the first moments of their life, through to adulthood with all the joy and trauma and heartbreak and growth along the way." The graphic frame "mimics shapes from the Jedi Temple."
Ahsoka features in her white garb as the Temperance card in Dianne Vaznelis' "The Force Arcana." This is a card in tarot that is often associated with "balance, peace, patience, moderation, inner calm, perspective, tranquility, harmonious relationships, soulmates."
In "The Travelers" by Ksenia Zelenstova, the artist "was inspired to draw the iconic scene of Ahsoka connecting to the whales when pursuing her own journey." She has almost cameo roles in Tomoko Taniguchi's "Love in the Galaxy," where she stands alongside Anakin Skywalker, and Danny Haas' dynamic and vibrant "Heroes Broken, Destiny Changed" in a representation of her role in Season 5 of The Clone Wars.
Meanwhile Mathilde Machuel "sought to merge the Star Wars universe with the Japanese art to explore themes of balance, spiritual connection, and unity" in "The Force: Serenity and Harmony." Ahsoka is recognizable, but dressed in a kimono with a pattern that "symbolizes impermanence and resilience." Grogu is featured in clothing that is "representing growth and transformation."
Some of the most understated, but captivating pieces feature sometimes overlooked characters. In Brian DeGuire's "Never Underestimate a Droid," we see the best of the mechanical represented, from K2-SO to SM-33. It's a delight to see Huyang around the corner from Leia's personal droid LO-LA59 and C-3PO and R2-D2 take center page.
Meanwhile, we see a famous scene in "a style inspired by vintage cartooning and limited-color printing" as Joey Mason shows Threepio declaiming the "Tale of the Rebellion" to the tribe of Ewoks along with the bemused Han, Luke, and Leia. "It celebrates the power of storytelling and demonstrates how heroic legends can provide inspiration and courage," says Mason.
Brad Hudson provides a comics-inspired format for "The Daimyo of Mos Espa" that zooms in on Boba Fett and his opponents and is an homage to "Fett's first appearance in Marvel Comics...in Star Wars issue #42." The price is in yen, and the format is similar to that of manga. "The Force Arcana" is complex in its depictions of various tarot elements, and we will all have to pull out a deck to understand its significance, but it uses how "Star Wars legends blend the spiritual and magical with bold - sometimes gritty - sci-fi."
Of particular note are portraits that portray a single character moment. It is good to see Candice Daley's "Peace is a Lie" depicting Qimir in his revealed power. Caley rightfully says that "Episode 5, 'Night' of The Acolyte will go down (for me) as one of the coolest fight sequences Star Wars fans have been blessed with in live action" and that her aim was to "capture a little bit of the calm yet confident nature of the Stranger."
Akinobu Hara puts Plo Koon into magnificent detail in "ROSHO," recollecting that "Plo's mask is reminiscent of a 'menpo,' a type of armor worn by Japanese samurai warriors." The characters at the top of the painting are Japanese for wolf and general. In a haunting image, Malcolm Tween portrays "Vader" with "an atmospheric and slightly abstract image." He is dwarfed by a shuttle shape reminiscent of the Dark Lord himself.
Several pieces are action-packed in wonderful ways. "Darkness on Umbara" by Joe Hogan depicts what the artist considers to be "some of the most compelling Star Wars content we clone trooper fans have ever received." The digital illustration is focused on "the chaos our clone heroes faced during their time on Umbara." The aforementioned Danny Haas piece shows Obi-Wan, Anakin, Maul, clone troopers, Mandalorians...and the lurking figure of Darth Sidious in the far background.
Finally, we have pieces that are intricate, yet almost peaceful. Tricia Benson's "Your Path You Must Decide" is a wonderful juxtaposition of Yoda counseling Luke on the nature of the Force and Luke passing on what he has learned to Grogu, who so resembles Luke's master. Benson "painted both scenes in tones representing two of the different colors of Luke's lightsabers... Catching a glimpse of what I had always longed for in the story of Luke Skywalker."
Benson posted the art on Facebook with a "tremendous thank you to my Star Wars Celebration family for all the support I've received."
Hidetaka Tenjin took Star Wars: A New Hope and thought of "how it would look if it were reimagined as a Japanese period piece... resembling that of an Akira Kurasawa jidaigeki film." The characters are all recognizable, though Threepio as a yellow-clad man and Artoo as a young boy with a hole in his hat are nearly as great as a departure as the pilots riding into battle on horseback."
Finally, Chris Treva brings us the visually stunning "Freighters of Fortune" that unites storylines and characters and "pays tribute not only to the Millennium Falcon but also to other notable starships like the Ghost, Outrider, and Fondor Haulcraft... defined by the bold captains who helm them." It's a great tribute to "their shared spirit of resilience, adventure, and ingenuity."
Check out all of the artwork and the artists' statements here and be prepared for the highly-anticipated pre-order.