I am Yiyao Da, a visual artist and practice-based researcher working across mixed-media painting, character iconography, and non-linear narrative art. My practice explores spatial phenomenology and existential flânerie through a female gaze—seeking to reclaim tactile materiality in a post-digital age.

Drawing inspiration from East Asian artifacts, spatial phenomenology, literature, nature, and the quiet company of my cat, Maomao (featured left, despite her perpetual reluctance to pose) . As my dedicated studio companion and emotional anchor, she will be relocating abroad with me as I embark on my practice-led PhD research.

My key practice includes the series City Wanderer, Soul Journey, and the original IP Ms.Leopard. I am the author and illustrator of the published art book Drawing Tour at 50°N , the illustrator of the published picture book Towards the Bright Side, alongside several original zines Way Out and picture book The Qingguo Alley’s Night Market, with 4 solo exhibitions hosted across Shanghai and Changzhou.

Beyond my core studio practice, I actively engage in cross-disciplinary collaborations with clients such as Douban, Three-Body Universe, and Zhejiang Children’s Publishing House, creating official key art for TV series and digital collectibles for feature films and theatrical plays.