Zhiyu You 游芷瑜
Zhiyu You’s practice combines traditional painting techniques with digital drawing, forming a visual language shaped by her Chinese cultural background. Through this hybrid approach, she explores the lived experiences of women and marginalized communities, focusing on moments that are often overlooked or unspoken.
She is particularly interested in the quiet emotional undercurrents embedded in women’s daily lives—feelings that exist beneath routine gestures, familiar spaces, and social expectations. By bringing these hidden and undetected emotions into focus, her work creates a space for reflection, recognition, and emotional visibility.
Zhiyu is available for commissions, collaborations, and other such projects.
Contact:
Email: zhiyuart@gmail.com
Instagram: zyuyou_art
Education:
BFA, Fine Arts, Illustration -
School of Visual Arts New York, New York, 2018-2022
BFA, Fine Art
Central Academy of Fine Arts Beijing, China, 2017
Selected Clients:
The New Republic / Zócalo Magazine / Shenzhen Press Group Publishing House / Tbaar /The Oriental Press
Awards:
2026
American Illustration
Creative Quarterly 83, Award of Excellence
London International Creative Competition, Winner
2025
Communication Arts, Shortlist
Society of Illustrator of Los Angeles
2023
Creative Quarterly 72, Award of Excellence
Creative Quarterly 71, Finalist
3x3 Illustration Competition, Self Promotion, Merit
3x3 Illustration Competition, Unpublished, Merit
Communication Arts, Shortlist
Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, Merit
2022
Society of Illustrators Annual Competition
London International Creative Competition, Official Selection
The Folio Book Illustration Awards
Christmas at Tbaar Cup Sleeve Art Contest, $5000 winner
Creative Quarterly 69, Winner
The Young Ones, Finalist
2021
London International Creative Competition, Finalist
Hiii Illustration, Merit Award
Hiii Illustration, Nomination
Selected Exhibitions:
2026
Earth Online
Extinction Online
Life Forms Online
Scenerium Online
2025
The Garden Within NYC, NY
The Art of Folio Exhibition NYC, NY
2022
The Society of Illustrators, Annual Exhibition NYC, NY
Bobblehaus NYC, NY
The Other World Beijing, China
Liminality: Visual Art Exhibition of Asian Artists in America NYC, NY
Quarantine: Adaptive Connections Omaha, NE
Selected Publications:
2025
Impressions of Shenzhen Parks
2024
Moon Veneration
The New Republic, Tony Tulathimutte Book Review
2022
Hello, Mangrove
The New Republic, Vladimir Sorokin Book Review
Zócalo Public Square, Arizona State University
Selected Press:
2026
Artsin Square
Arts to Heart Magazine
Novum Artist
Visionary Art Collective
2024
2023