Written by Sarah Ashcroft
Published 11.12.2025

Izland Interview: Duan, Visual Artist

 

How did you develop your style of illustration and what sets you apart from the
crowd?

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Developing my own style was a long process. Over the years, I’ve experimented, learnt new skills and opened myself to different kinds of art, not just illustration, but also photography, dance and film. I also spent a lot of time visiting exhibitions and museums, letting all of that feed into my practice. At the very beginning, I often made work just because it looked “pretty”. I remember in my Master’s, a tutor told me: “I’d rather see a blank page than something that looks nice, but has no meaning”. That really shifted my perspective. It pushed me to ask: what do I really care about? What do I really want to say? As time went by, I realised that I’m a very sensitive and empathetic introvert. I learnt how to use my sensitivity and empathy to understand things more profoundly, and how to use bold colours to convey the strong emotions that I feel in my heart, the anger, the sadness, the confusion, the feelings that I sometimes find hard to express verbally. I think that these unique experiences in my life set me apart from the crowd. I draw how my heart feels, rather than what’s trending on the market.

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What inspired your MA project Fight! and how did it help with your self-development?

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As a queer person myself, drag queens and drag kings have inspired me since I saw my first drag show in Shanghai in 2018. I was amazed by how freely and boldly they expressed themselves. From then on, I followed the community closely, watching documentaries such as Paris is Burning and The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, and regularly attending performances while I was in London. Their courage has given me courage. My project was a way to celebrate and honour the drag community. At the same time, working on this project helped me understand myself more deeply, accept who I am and be braver in expressing my identity to others.

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How important is it to showcase diversity and inclusivity in your industry?

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I think the short answer is: it’s absolutely essential. As an illustrator and creative director in design, I see that across the creative industry, diversity and inclusivity create safe spaces for different cultures to be seen and boost the creativity of artists. Without them, everything risks becoming repetitive and boring.

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How do your own experiences have an impact on your work, such as in your
commission for Tate?

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My personal experiences always shape my work. I use illustration to reflect on what I see and feel in everyday life. That piece commissioned by Tate showed small Christmas elves trying to steal a piece of turkey from a fancy Christmas dinner. Walking around London, I saw so many homeless people, including families with children. It was heartbreaking, especially around Christmas. I wanted to create a world where everyone could enjoy the festive season, at least a little bit.

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How does taking part in exhibitions allow you to grow as an artist and draw upon
others’ work?

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In my perspective, seeing a drawing in person has a very different impact than seeing it on a phone screen. Exhibitions have opened channels for me to connect more deeply with audiences and other artists. It’s always refreshing to see how other artists present a concept in a unique, unexpected way. In the early stages of exploring my style, it’s also a good way to learn new drawing techniques and open my mind.

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What direction do you see your work heading in, and what do you think makes a
successful artist?

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I’ll keep observing what’s happening around me and using my emotions as inspiration. I also have a black cat that I adopted about two years ago. He has already appeared in some of my work and will definitely continue to appear in future projects. To me, a successful artist is someone with the confidence and freedom to create what they truly want to express, without being driven by trends. It takes courage to accept yourself fully and to express that honestly through art. That, to me, is what success means.

 

What tools do you use to create your illustrations, and what advice would you give to
up-and-coming illustrators?

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My process starts with thinking, often lying on the floor or walking around, talking to myself about possible directions for the topic that I feel the urge to talk about. Then, I sketch rough drafts on paper in pencil, before moving to Photoshop to develop the final piece. My advice: Respect the natural ups and downs of creativity. It’s normal to feel blocked, and it’s OK to step away, take a walk, talk to friends or travel. Experiences fuel ideas. Most importantly, find what really matters to you and use your art to express that. Being different is a strength, so embrace your uniqueness and let it be your advantage.

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What has been your favourite project to work on, and why?

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Honestly, I can’t choose just one. Every project that you see on my Instagram helped me
release emotions that I couldn’t express better otherwise. They were created during difficult periods, and through making them, I was able to remove the rock from my heart, feeling able to breath again. Each project has supported me in different ways and helped me grow a little more. That’s why I truly value them all.​​​​​​