”If you are too tired, if you lost confidence, if you feel down, I wish my words can cuddle up to you.
Women and children, we might be weak physically, yet it doesn’t mean we can be exploited.
Our beautiful souls never be soiled.”

Norico Chua is a Japanese artist based in Malaysia.
Published 5 picture-books as below:

“A Cake Reaching to the Sky” in 2013 (Malaysia)
Republished in 2015 (Malaysia)
Published in 2015 (Philippine)
Published in 2018 (Korea)
“The Werewolf and His Moon” in 2014 (Malaysia)
“The Yellow Lion and the Blue Lion” in 2015 (Malaysia)
“The Rocket Caterpillar” in 2017 (Malaysia)
“The Moonlight Princess” in 2017 (Malaysia)
Illustrations and poem book “Nowhereland” in 2021 (Malaysia)
The Yellow Lion and the Blue Lion” in 2021 (Malay Language Ver. Malaysia)

[Media Featured/Exhibition]

2014 　Featured at one of the Malaysian significant newspaper STAR
2017 　Broadcasted on documentary TV program in Japan
2018 　Interviews on the magazine in Singapore “UNLOCK JAPAN”
2020 　Joined “Artbook of selected illustration” as one of 105 illustrators
2020 　Interviews on the magazine in Malaysia “SENYUM”
2020 　Submitted works at University Malaya in KL exhibition
2020 　Exhibited at AG Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2020 Nov. Broadcasted interview on CitiPlus FM
2022 Started regular publication on the national newspaper in Malaysia
2022 Broadcasted documentary “Malaysia in their Eyes” by ASTRO AEC
2022 Broadcasted Web documentary by 马来西亚星洲日报Malaysia Sin Chew Daily【刚好在这里(So here I am)】

One writer describes her illustration works besides picture-books are special mix of dreaminess and precision, shapes often suggesting more than one thing at once in a very poetic way, and beautiful rich colours and textures.

She has Malaysian husband and 3 children.
Her mixed marriage inspired her more to oriental cultures and arts.
Currently she is working on the project “Poetry and Illustration” is set the motif on the girls wearing KIMONO represents “New-type of Japanese ideal girls who are strong and independent.”

”Live Life to the Fullest”

Magic, Monster, and Heroes.

When I was a child, I would immerse myself in imaginary worlds. Being in my fantasy world made me feel like I could be whoever I wanted. I created my world. My fictional magical world. Oh! How fun it was! I miss that feeling of awe and wonder. I’ve longed for that feeling even more now that I am older. I believe that we all have an inner child within us that longed to be found and kept alive. Shouldn’t we continue to seek awe and wonder even as we grow up?

These characters that I draw are how I imagined my inner child would be – the feeling of hopelessness, happiness, freedom, curiosity, courage, and strong.. and sometimes weak, sad and lost. No matter happy or sad, she lives to the fullest. She is a warrior.

I wish my art to celebrate, empower women, and give courage and light. I wish all women in the world to live free from fear of oppression.

The kimono represents my identity as a Japanese. The kimono is a symbol of feminine strength for Japanese women. I want to preserve my good culture while also breaking through the traditional gender roles.

Digging in her own identity as Japanese throw her point of view as a woman, and connect to other Asian cultures will keep her works as unique and original.