10 Questions with Yilin Xu

Born and raised in Guilin, China, a beautiful tourist city rich in cultural heritage and artistic diversity, Yili has always been deeply connected to design and creativity. She works as an interior designer in New York after graduating from Pratt Institute while also pursuing a passion for freelance illustration. Influenced by her architectural background, the illustrations are intricately inspired by spatial dynamics, architectural elements, and detailed mechanical designs.

She has always been fascinated by how design influences the way people connect to their environments—and to each other. The work bridges these disciplines, using illustration as a medium to explore the concept of ethical belonging: the creation of spaces (both physical and emotional) that uphold shared values like inclusivity, fairness, and mutual care.

yilinxdesign.com | @lines.yi

Chinatown Nostalgia | Project Description

Chinatown Nostalgia captures the iconic streets of Chinatown in Manhattan, New York. With a sense of melancholy woven into its artistry, the piece reflects on the neighborhood’s enduring legacy of over 140 years. Chinatown’s vibrant ethnic economy and cultural significance remain a vital core of the metropolis. The artwork invites viewers on a journey through time, blending elements of past and present architecture, people, and cultural expressions, evoking a bittersweet longing for what it once was.

The piece also delves into the evolving sense of belonging within an ethnic community. Traditionally, the symbolic and virtual borders of Chinatown provided safety and delineated space to preserve cultural identity. These boundaries offered not just physical but emotional anchors, fostering a deep sense of community. Yet, as time passes, this sense of connection can transcend geographic boundaries, reflecting both the resilience and fragility of cultural identity in a rapidly changing world.

INTERVIEW

First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. How did your journey as an artist begin, and what led you to this path?

Hi, my name is Yilin. I am a freelance illustrator and a full-time interior designer, combining my passions for both artistic expression and spatial design. My background in interior design and architecture has provided me with unique opportunities to work as an architectural illustrator and visual artist. This intersection of disciplines has significantly shaped my creative mindset, allowing me to craft illustrations that emphasize the environment and spatial design's profound impact on human emotions.
Growing up in Guilin, a city renowned for its rich history and vibrant minority cultures, I developed a deep appreciation for heritage and its role in shaping identity. This cultural upbringing instilled in me a sensitivity to the nuances of spatial design and a keen interest in exploring the interplay between culture and space.
My journey as an illustrator began while studying interior design, where I discovered my ability to translate concepts into vivid, visually compelling narratives. This realization guided me toward a career where I could merge technical precision with artistic storytelling. Today, my illustrations often reflect an architectural influence, addressing themes like belonging, memory, and the ways people interact with their surroundings.
As an illustrator working within the creative industry, I strive to create work that not only tells stories but also sparks conversations about the spaces we inhabit. Whether collaborating with publishers, brands, or other creatives, I bring a thoughtful, spatially aware perspective to my illustrations, aiming to bridge the gap between art and design.

What inspired you to transition from interior design to exploring freelance illustration?

When I was commissioned by my full-time job to create visual representation works for clients, I discovered the pivotal role of illustration as a bridge between professionals and clients who may not have technical training in this industry. This experience opened my eyes to the power of illustration in making complex ideas accessible and engaging.
Over time, I realized that being an illustrator extends beyond communication—it's about developing a distinct visual language. As I gradually uncovered my own illustrative style, I began incorporating intricate building designs and mechanical structures to create visually striking compositions that deliver critical messages with a more pronounced and impactful voice.
Through research and precedent studies for commissioned projects, I encountered remarkable artists who integrate architectural elements into their illustration work, such as Killian Eng, François Schuiten, and Doug John Miller. Learning about their creative processes and exploring their art has deeply influenced my own approach, inspiring me to refine and build my unique visual style and language in my illustration work.

Garment Strike © Yilin Xu
This series of illustrations portray the 1982 garment workers' strike in Manhattan, a pivotal moment led predominantly by immigrant Asian women. These workers, many of whom were recent arrivals earning low wages, rallied against employers who subjected them to hazardous working conditions and unfair pay. They demanded protections and fair contracts through union representation.
At the heart of the artwork is a symbolic sewing machine, prominently placed on Sixth Avenue, also known as the Avenue of the Americas. Surrounded by towering skyscrapers that evoke the feeling of a man-made canyon, the scene highlights the stark contrast between the workers' struggles and the grandeur of the cityscape. Another illustration in this series also reflects the shared challenges faced by both young and older Asian immigrant women, for whom garment work was often seen as an inescapable destiny.

Your illustrations are deeply influenced by spatial dynamics and architecture. How do you integrate these elements into your creative process?

As an interior designer, I find that any building or structural element can serve as inspiration for my creative process. During the drafting or sketching stage, I typically categorize various types and styles of buildings that I plan to incorporate into the final drawing. This helps me create a cohesive visual narrative and ensures that the architectural elements resonate with the overall concept.
Another crucial aspect of integrating architecture and spatial elements into my illustrations is the thoughtful use of camera angles and perspectives. Once I've finalized the buildings or locations to include, I often visit the site to take photographs, which serve as visual references throughout the creative process. These site visits allow me to capture the mood and overall aesthetic of the space, which informs my decisions on how to depict these elements in the most impactful way. By combining these spatial dynamics with a deliberate choice of views, I can create illustrations that effectively convey boththe structure's essence and its emotional resonance.

How do you approach combining detailed mechanical designs with emotional themes in your illustrations?

Even though the sewing machine I created, with its exposed inner structure, may initially appear emotionless, it serves asa powerful metaphor for the garment workers who use it. Upon closer inspection of the gears and intricate inner workings, one can see how complex the machine is—mirroring the complexity and uncertainty of an immigrant's life. These hidden elements, concealed in darkness or covered by an outer shell, symbolize the struggles that are often unseen or overlooked.
To emphasize this contrast, I juxtaposed the monochromatic interior of the sewing machine with the vibrant colors of the people and architecture in the surrounding environment. This stark visual difference highlights the disparity between the repetitive, grueling labor garment workers endure and the vibrancy of the world around them. Through this approach, I aim to shed light on the injustices they face, such as unfair pay and treatment, while creating a visually compelling narrative that evokes empathy and reflection.

Your work often explores the concept of ethical belonging. How do you define this idea, and how does it guide your artistic vision?

With my diverse cultural background and experiences living in various cities and countries, I have often found myself part of marginalized groups. This perspective has deeply influenced my understanding of belonging and representation. New York City, with its vibrant diversity and cultural inclusivity, has become one of my greatest sources of inspiration. Despite its inclusiveness, the city's layers of identity and complexity resonate with my own journey.
The concept of ethical belonging, to me, is rooted in shared values and mutual respect. It's about fostering connections that transcend differences and create space for understanding and inclusion. I strive to express this idea in my artwork by allowing multiple perspectives and interpretations to emerge from a single piece. Through layered narratives, I aim to highlight the value of diverse voices and shared human experiences.
Building a strong environment within my drawings is essential for conveying these messages. By focusing on spatial dynamics and cultural nuance, I seek to create works that not only speak to the broader concept of ethical belonging but also give voice to the Chinese immigrant community. My goal is to inspire dialogue and understanding while offering a platform for underrepresented stories.

In your piece Chinatown Nostalgia, you reflect on the evolution of cultural identity. How do you balance nostalgia with contemporary perspectives in your work?

During the drafting process for this work, I took several trips to Chinatown in lower Manhattan to document and immerse myself in the environment. I was captivated by the diversity of buildings and architectural styles in the area. I chose to illustrate the buildings and street elements on Pell Street not only because of their historical significance in the progression of Chinese immigrant history but also due to the unique fusion of modern and historical architecture that defines the street.
Rather than intentionally incorporating the mixture of nostalgia and contemporary aesthetics into my work, it emerged naturally as a reflection of real-life situations in the modern Chinatown community and its existing architecture. However, I consciously emphasized this dynamic while drafting the layout, purposefully positioning contrasting styles of buildings side by side as the focal point of the drawing.
This deliberate juxtaposition highlights the coexistence of heritage and modernity, representing the evolving cultural identity of the community. Through this approach, I aim to honor the rich history of Chinatown while acknowledging its continuous transformation, creating a balance that resonates with both nostalgia and contemporary perspectives.

Your series on the 1982 garment workers' strike is powerful. What drew you to this historical moment, and what message do you hope viewers take from it?

As an Asian woman, I have always been drawn to historical events that connect to my sense of ethical belonging and cultural identity. My sensitivity to emotions and the surrounding environment helps me grasp the essence of moments like this with depth and empathy.
This series consists of two pieces, both highlighting the intricate mechanical details of a sewing machine. These elements serve as metaphors for the complex and challenging lives of garment workers, particularly Asian immigrant women.Through these works, I reflect on their struggles—not just the low wages and financial hardships but also the harsh realities of unfair pay, grueling overtime hours, and the lack of support for working mothers. Many women were forced to bring their children to work, creating a deeply challenging and often controversial environment for both the workers and their children.
By focusing on this historical moment, I hope to shed light on the resilience and sacrifices of these women while encouraging viewers to reflect on the broader issues of labor rights and social justice. My goal is to honor their stories and amplify their voices through visual storytelling.

The sewing machine is a central motif in your Garment Strike series. What does it symbolize for you, and how does it connect to broader themes in your art?

The sewing machine is one of the most essential tools for a garment worker. Many garment workers likely spent more time with their sewing machines than with their families or loved ones, making it a crucial and inseparable part of their daily lives. As I delved into documentaries and photographs of this historical event, sewing machines appeared prominently alongside these workers. This inspired me to use it as the starting point for my creative process.
As I conducted more research, I became fascinated by the intricate interior structure of the sewing machine's mechanical parts. These intricate details reminded me of the poor working conditions and challenging lives of garment workers.During the design and sketching process, I deliberately placed the exposed interior mechanical structure as the focal point of the piece. This decision highlights the complexity of these issues and how they are often hidden or overlooked.
For me, the sewing machine symbolizes not only the physical labor of these workers but also the struggles and sacrifices that defined their lives. It connects to the broader themes of my art by addressing the shared challenges faced by bothyoung and older Asian immigrant women, for whom garment work was often seen as an inescapable destiny. Through this motif, I aim to shed light on their resilience while urging viewers to reflect on the systemic inequities that persist in labor and immigrant communities.

Are there any upcoming projects or themes you're excited to explore in your illustrations?

I'm always seeking challenges and new opportunities to push the boundaries of my creative work. My next steps involve exploring fresh themes and concepts for my upcoming pieces. Currently, living in New York City has led me to focus on illustrating its architecture, people, and historical events. However, I'm eager to expand my horizons by traveling to new places and drawing inspiration from diverse environments and cultures.
Gaining new perspectives is vital to my creative process. I actively seek feedback and critiques from my audience on social media and regularly consult with more experienced artists and designers. Their insights often open doors to new ideas and approaches. Through these interactions, I'm inspired to expand my creative path, potentially venturing into more abstract and universal themes rather than focusing solely on specific events or locations. This evolution excites me, as it allows my work to connect with a broader audience while exploring new dimensions of storytelling.

Lastly, how do you see your dual practices as an interior designer and illustrator evolving in the future? Do you envision bridging them further?

I see myself continually balancing the practicality and creative aspects of both careers. I don't plan to fully merge them, as I have a deep love for both interior design and illustration. As an interior designer, I don't always have as many opportunities for creative expression, as my work often involves more problem-solving and addressing practical, real-life issues faced by clients. However, this practical side balances out with my freelance illustration career, where I have the freedom to explore and express creativity to its fullest.
In the future, I would love to subtly blend these two practices. My goal is to use illustration as a tool to highlight and showcase the aesthetics of interior design, merging both fields in a way that allows me to bring my unique vision to life. By doing so, I hope to expand the ways these disciplines can inform and inspire one another.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

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