Meet Yangyu Li | Illustrator/Designer

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

Hi Yangyu, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
I disagree with the saying “Enduring hardships makes one a superior individual.” While success often demands resilience through trials, this overlooks a crucial aspect—aligning one’s struggles with the right direction. Success is multifaceted, and it’s simplistic to equate it solely with enduring hardships. Sometimes, the challenges faced when veering off course are meaningless, leading to demoralization and unnecessary self-doubt. To avoid such futile struggles, clear and calm self-awareness is crucial. Understanding our current capabilities, strengths, weaknesses, and finding more efficient paths is essential. Work smarter, not harder.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe art serves as humanity’s conduit to confront the existential struggle. Translating tangible life experiences into conceptual realms for exploration is my passion. This infuses my work with a subtle sense of absurdity—while not always grounded in reality, I strive to preserve that inexplicable emotional or intellectual resonance.

Observation, contemplation, and accumulation have been crucial in my journey. I once grappled with a paradox, seeking my true self through art—a circuitous and lengthy process. Only by calmly navigating each step of this journey could I steer my exploration ship through the darkness of the canyon towards a faint light. I deeply understand that in the process of exploring art, one must broaden their understanding, embrace curiosity, and fully engage with various other fields. Whether it’s watching TV shows, reading books, appreciating music, listening to philosophy lectures, solving intriguing math problems, playing chess, or conversing with others, the invaluable assistance provided by diverse art forms and cultural expressions in expanding creative thinking and offering unique perspectives cannot be underestimated.

I aspire for my work to serve as both a medium of exploration and a key unlocking new perspectives and realms. It’s my hope that through my creations, readers can uncover viewpoints and areas that have long existed yet remained unnoticed, or perhaps recognize emotions that have lingered unarticulated in their hearts.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I currently reside in Savannah, a cozy city imbued with Southern charm. I envision escorting my friends on a relaxed stroll through the historic district, where we’ll admire the intricate architecture and verdant gardens. Standing by the river, we’ll embrace the salty sea breeze as cargo ships glide gracefully into the harbor, while colorful vehicles traverse the bustling bridge. We’ll meander through charming vintage shops, browse bookstores, and explore the captivating exhibits at the school museum.

On a sunny yet temperate day, we’ll opt for a leisurely afternoon at Forsyth Park. Seated on benches, we’ll sketch amidst the towering trees whose branches form a canopy akin to a labyrinth, and observe nimble squirrels frolicking on the grass. As evening descends, we might retreat to a serene tavern, where we’ll swap stories and engage in heartfelt conversations about life’s intricacies.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am deeply grateful to my college roommates. My undergraduate major was architecture, and during that intense and high-pressure academic journey, we created many cherished memories. In our freshman year, we teamed up for a construction assignment. On the night before the deadline, amidst heavy rain, we stayed up all night constructing a small house using plastic panels based on our own design. The next morning, exhausted and soaked from head to toe, we admired our final labor of love—it was as beautiful as a white lotus after the rain. In our junior year, we went to the remote countryside to survey an ancient royal tomb. We climbed onto rooftops and measured data under the scorching sun during the day, covered in dust and sweat. At night, we sang songs loudly on the dark mountain roads as we walked back to our lodging. We cooled ourselves off with a basin of cold water from head to toe, squeezed into an abandoned mountain school, and drew blueprints under dim lamplight, falling asleep to the sounds of unknown birds and beasts. In our senior year, we interned together in a strange city. The three of us rented a top-floor apartment in an old residential area, coming and going early every day, and watching movies together on a small bed at night after exhausting workdays. Although several years have passed and we have each walked hurriedly on our own paths, and our communication is not as frequent as before, each of us knows deep down that there is someone supporting and blessing us from a distant corner. Once during my vacation, I traveled to various cities to meet old friends, to see what they are busy with, to chat about our fresh experiences, and to envision our future prospects. Although our encounters are brief, and we never know when the next meeting will be, the fleeting companionship gives us everlasting spiritual support that will never fade.

Website: www.yangyuart.com

Instagram: @yangyuart_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yangyu-li-454667291/