Thé Tjong-Khing* (Purworejo, Indonesia, 1933) is one of the most influential illustrators in Dutch (children’s) literature. A master storyteller with pen and brush. His oeuvre spans more than five decades and is characterised by exceptional visual storytelling, a playful and humorous imagination, and an extraordinary eye for detail. His illustrations are populated by lively and sometimes delightfully quirky characters, a subtle sense of humour, and carefully constructed scenes in which countless small events unfold simultaneously. Their richness and vigour invite the viewer to keep looking, with new details constantly emerging. Expression, movement and composition guide the viewer’s eye through layered narratives. His wit, gentle misdirection, humour, and playful subversion of expectations and preconceptions make his work accessible and engaging for all ages.

Khing’s work blends Eastern storytelling traditions with European visual culture, humour and dynamism into a distinctive and recognisable style. He frequently references art history and popular culture. Medieval cityscapes, fairy-tale landscapes and theatrical interiors are the magnificent stage for the adventures of animals, humans and fantastical beings. While his books tell cohesive stories from cover to cover, each illustration is also a self-contained world inviting exploration and discovery.

In this respect, Khing’s work resonates with the tradition of Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel, where viewers are free to wander from figure to figure and from story to story.

* His name consists of three parts: Thé (family name), Tjong (generation name), and Khing (given name), following Chinese naming conventions.

Did you know Khing draws significant inspiration from film? His father owned several cinemas and from a young age Khing was exposed to countless films. He was particularly fond of the world-famous Disney films featuring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Pinocchio. From facial expressions and camera angles to lighting, Khing has developed a strong cinematic sensibility that continues to inform his work. During The cherry on top! visitors can create a storyboard, design a cinema ticket, and draw a portrait in CODA Atelier.

The work of Thé Tjong-Khing continues to influence artists and illustrators to this day. To illustrate this, CODA has invited visual artists Pris Roos and Koen Taselaar to present work inspired by or in dialogue with Khing’s oeuvre as part of the exhibition.

Pris Roos presents drawings from her book De toko van mijn ouders (My parents’ toko), to be published during the exhibition period. Khing’s work has been a major source of inspiration for Roos, particularly his picture book Waar is de tart? (Where is the cake?), which influenced her development as both an illustrator and children’s author. For this exhibition, she transforms the cover of her new book, a closed shopfront, into a life-sized installation made from recycled cardboard boxes collected from her parents’ shop.

Koen Taselaar’s work presents distinctive worlds governed by his own visual logic. His drawings resonate with Khing’s style, and through his reinterpretation of symbols, icons and mythological figures, he creates a interesting dialogue with Khing’s work. His jacquard-woven tapestries translate drawing into textile, demonstrating his ability to move beyond paper and canvas. Richly coloured and visually striking, his works immerse visitors in imaginative environments akin to those found in Khing’s illustrations.