Mantis Captures the Toad

作品賞析

YANG Mao-Lin’s work reflects the complex historical background of Taiwan. A realm of inner fantasy uses religious elements, cartoons, and fairy tales to convey the phenomenon of global cultural integration. Mantis Captures the Toad is a story that integrates both western fairy tales and eastern fables. Both the praying mantis and Peter Pan became enlightened Buddhas. Peter Pan, the symbol of childhood innocence and freedom, became a guardian for conveying human kindness, while the giant praying mantis became his mount. The cicada, on the other hand, is replaced with a toad that became Peter Pan’s loot. The praying mantis is also standing on the canary that originally wanted to eat it. YANG Mao-Lin transformed the fable into a divine entity within his mind, portraying his desire for cultural diversity and creating a symbol to place his faith in.