TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese illustrator Li Chia-chun (李嘉君)  has been named one of 16 finalists for Spain’s 2026 Premio Apila Primera Impresion. 

Li was selected from a pool of 654 submissions representing 72 countries, marking one of the most competitive fields in the history of the international award.

Organized by independent publisher Apila Ediciones, the Premio Apila is regarded as a hallmark of artistic quality in contemporary picture book illustration. The shortlisted works were first exhibited in Spain in March and will continue to tour art and design institutions across the country throughout the year.

Li’s project, "Pigeon and Cat," explores how two animals inhabit the same city through vastly different sensory experiences. The narrative relies almost entirely on visual composition, color and texture rather than text.

In Li’s work, the cat’s world is heavy and claustrophobic. She utilizes a palette of deep oranges, slate grays and urban browns, with layered brushwork that fills every corner of the frame. Elements of city life, such as traffic and overflowing bins, dominate the perspective. Even auditory interruptions, such as a car horn, are rendered as a bold, painted "Beep!" on the page.

The perspective shifts when following the pigeon. The palette transitions to soft sky blues and warm yellows, and the brushwork becomes looser. The compositions open up, featuring drifting clouds and a large sun on the horizon, giving the reader a sense of space and breath.

Li does not use text to explain which world is preferable. Instead, the distinction is made through visual language. The cat is consistently framed at ground level, contained by dense surroundings, while the pigeon is viewed from above with space extending in all directions.

The contrast suggests how a single environment can be experienced in fundamentally different ways based on point of view. As a Taiwanese artist currently based in the United Kingdom, Li said she brings a sensitivity to how everyday surroundings can become unfamiliar or newly defined.

"I wanted the story to be led by images, so that readers from different backgrounds can connect with it in their own way," Li said.

The project reflects a trend in contemporary illustration where storytelling is driven by visual experience rather than narrative explanation. Li’s approach trusts the reader to construct meaning through observation rather than passive reception.

Being named a finalist places Li among a growing group of Taiwanese illustrators gaining visibility in the international picture book landscape.

Li is currently preparing "Pigeon and Cat" for independent publication in the autumn. Her previous work includes the self-published zine "What’s In Your Bag?" which examined everyday life through the lens of cultural adaptation. That series was featured by We And The Color and sold in art spaces across the UK and Taiwan.

Li’s practice continues to explore themes of identity and emotional perception through a nuanced sensitivity to different cultural perspectives.