Meet Yafei Liu | Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yafei Liu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yafei, how does your business help the community?
I joined a non-profit organization in China called ED Healer, which is a group mainly focuses on popularing the knowledge of Eating disorder and connect with the patience and more Public service organization. As an illustrator, most of my jobs are about making illustration for the tweets, and I also participated as an art director to organize the very first Body Anxiety Exhibition in Shanghai, China.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I aim to visualize and materialize elements that are not typically present in our daily lives or that may have only existed in our memories. Furthermore, I aspire to convey powerful emotions through my Thesis. I would talk about it through one of my recent work!
After a year, I’m back to drawing comics! This time, my comic is called “The Sticky Summer”, inspired by a true experience I had before my middle school entrance exam in 2013. Every year, as the weather warms up and the air becomes hot and humid, my memory is pulled back to that painful time. I was facing the entrance exam and being looked down upon by teachers and mocked by classmates due to my poor grades. After morning exercises, I would squeeze into a classroom with over 70 people, sweat trapped in my non-breathable school uniform, making my body sticky and itchy. Days passed by, and as I couldn’t get into a key high school, I felt like my future was bleak…I recorded all these experiences and feelings in my comic and tried to use metaphors like dark clouds and rain to depict the continuous boredom and hopelessness at that time.

Compared to my first comic “Goodbye” from last year, this comic has improved in overall composition and storytelling, but there is still room for improvement in some of the visualizations of the metaphors, which makes certain parts of the content difficult to read. Drawing comics is a hard but enjoyable process, and I especially enjoy the moment when each printed page is cut and stapled together on the binding machine. Holding a physical book in my hands is an unparalleled feeling.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The first stop will absolutely be my beloved school—Maryland Institute College of Art! I’ve spent almost 6 years here and I would like to show how the school changed during these periods, where to see the extraordinary art, what the studios be like… The next stop will be one of my favorite restaurants in the town, Thames Street Oyster house! This seafood shop probably can be the best place to explore food in Baltimore, I would absolutely recommend my friend to try the crispy and flavorful fried calamari, fresh oyster, lobster roll and crab cake, for sure (make sure they’re not allergic to the seafood)!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I was born in China in the late 1990s, and my experiences growing up in a rapidly changing world have had a profound impact on my artistic journey. Through my work, I explore the complex relationship between individuals and their surroundings, and examine the connections between our inner and outer worlds. As a Chinese artist living in the United States, I am also interested in exploring questions of identity and cultural heritage, with a focus on individual stories and experiences.
My own struggles with depression and eating disorders also have inspired me to create art that speaks to the experiences of others facing similar challenges. In our increasingly complex and information-rich world, mental health issues are becoming more prevalent, and I believe that art can be a powerful tool for addressing these issues and providing comfort to those who need it most.
Through a variety of media including illustration, graphic novels, experimental animation, and installation, I continue to explore new ways of expressing myself and connecting with audiences. My work often incorporates elements of absurdity and humor, inviting viewers to engage with my art on multiple levels. Ultimately, my goal is to inspire people to think more deeply about the future of humanity and our place in the universe. As I continue to develop my art practice, I am eager to collaborate with others and explore new perspectives. Whether through traditional or experimental forms, I am committed to using my art to promote greater understanding, inclusivity, and connection in our increasingly complex and interconnected world.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fffaye_l/

Image Credits
Yafei Liu