Resplendent, ethereal and full of vivid color, the polystylistic work of New York–based illustrator Vanilla Chi unites the spirit of contemporary graphic languages with both the heartfelt sensibilities of primitive art and delightful flat characters that would feel at home in manga. “In both commissioned work and personal creation, I strive to approach thinking in a way that deviates from subjective cognition,” she explains. “It might even seem overtly off topic, but I am particularly enamored with the ambiguous, indescribable connection between my personal subconscious and the work.” Having grown up in Guangdong, China, a place she describes “where the influence of superstition and folk religion is prevalent,” Chi was always passionate about art but discouraged from following a creative path professionally. “In China, pursuing art was often considered suitable for students deemed ‘not academically inclined,’” she explains. “As a result, I initially pursued clinical medicine—however, after two years, I made the decision to leave school and enroll at the School of Visual Arts to study illustration.” While there, she explored all kinds of visual media and studied under illustrator Henrik Drescher, who she counts as an artistic influence alongside Japanese designer Koichi Sato and graphic novelist Olivier Schrauwen. “Furthermore, the rich tapestry of East Asian culture, folk art and native art serves as a fertile ground for my creative exploration,” Chi continues. “There exists a profound connection between folklore and the totems and semiotics associated with me.” She views her own creative process and illustrations as an antidote to the materialistic nihilism prevalent in our technocentrist society. “If our current level of technology represents the adolescence of human cognitive history, then primitive religions might be viewed from the perspective of early childhood,” Chi says. “I seek moments that return to simplicity, embracing a return to a ‘primitive’ state to deconstruct my own understanding. This process helps me discover a new way to reflect on myself, to heal and to express creativity.”