Interview with Tang Wen Xi by Dawn by Tang Wen Xi, Dawn Felagund  

Few episodes within the legendarium inspire the tormented emotions as the third kinslaying and the aftermath between Maedhros, Maglor, Elrond, and Elros. The featured artist for polutropos' Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation "'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium," Tang Wen Xi creates artwork, including martial scenes, with a bold, vibrant style that often seems to leap and move within the page. Dawn recently spoke to Tang Wen Xi about his inspirations within the legendarium and how he creates his one-of-a-kind art.

Dawn: Where can we find your fanworks?

Tang Wen Xi: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook under the handle @teulu_dewr.

Dawn: What draws you to Tolkien?

TWX: The Lord of the Rings movies, particularly the art and costuming, drew me in immensely. You have all these Elves and Men and Dwarves against Orcs, and you're so engrossed in all the kingdoms they're from and the backstory behind it. Then I went on to read and watch The Hobbit films, read The Silmarillion, and finally, read the actual books to digest the lore. I also enjoy the behind-the-scenes production footage as well as the Tolkien YouTube channels that delve deep into the lesser-known parts of the legendarium, refreshingly presenting them, like Men of the West or Girlnext Gondor.

Dawn: Why did you choose polutropos's presentation to create fanworks for?

TWX: The kinslayings already stain a pretty pure and innocent perspective on the Elves. And it's pure joy to depict the Elves that were involved there, regretting their decisions at the battle. Gil-galad being unable to save the Sirion refugees, and Maedros and Maglor relapsing into armed violence.

Dawn: Your style as an artist is fascinating and so unique, almost three-dimensional, like I can reach into the page. I'm not much of an artist myself, so I look at your work and marvel ... and wonder how you do it! What can you share about your technique as an artist?

TWX: A lot of it is referencing concept art and looking at tutorials. I also do watercolour and acrylics in real life, so the skills transfer. It's a lot of colour blocking first, and then working to the necessary detail, not too much to exhaust yourself, much like an oil painter on a digital canvas

Dawn: How about inspiration? I see so many elements in your work, everything from anime to historical scenes.

TWX: It is a giant pool of different art and media, including the LotR and Hobbit concept art initially. Afterwards, it branches out to different artists and their portfolios, both past and present, as to incorporate them into a unique style. I also look into an animated film's art book art as well, so as to incorporate the character designs and colour schemes to improve the pieces.

Dawn: There is a movement lately in the Tolkien fanworks world (and the fantasy fandom more broadly) to incorporate elements and imagery from cultures outside Western Europe. Your work clearly references both the history and popular culture of Asia. Do you want to speak to the connections you see there with Tolkien? Or the importance of seeing Tolkien as more than Eurocentric?

TWX: His world is already pretty diverse. Different Elven groups have their own separate cultures that are not depicted in media, like seafaring Elves or nomadic human tribes living on the eastern edge of Middle-earth. Haradrim and Easterlings are part of his worldbuilding, so it's apparent that he's not locked to the European side of Middle-earth.

There's also a pool of artists who have experimented with Central Asian-looking Sindarin Elves or Persian-looking Gondorian cavalry, or a Japanese ukiyo-e block print of Fingolfin vs Morgoth and the other adventures of the legendarium. So there's a really large fanbase who are willing to put a fresh spin in the artistic depiction of Tolkien's lore, and I think that's commendable.