An illustrator who combines his background in graphic design with a natural penchant for creating visual narratives, New York–based artist Weston Wei conjures the feeling of a graphic novel in every image. “My artistic approach is centered around storytelling and emotion,” he says, “and my style is an organic combination of human figures and surreal elements.” Growing up in Shenzhen, China, Wei found his inspiration in the pop culture of the post-2000 digital realm; he went on to get a BFA in communication design from Tongji University in Shanghai and eventually joined the MFA program in illustration as visual essay at the School of Visual Arts in New York, from which he graduated in 2023. Taught by the late legendary illustrator Marshall Arisman, he took Arisman’s motto to heart—“draw the things you like and the things you know”—to bring to life his observations about the world through the lens of surrealism. “Storytelling is always at the core of my work,” he says. “I try to build a direct, immediate emotional connection with my audience through strong visuals and relatable stories. I hope to create more relatable art pieces and communicate my clients’ and my stories in an unforgettable way.”