Check Out Yihe Tao’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yihe Tao

Yihe, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
During my time at School of Visual Arts, I took a course in silk-screen printing and began creating a series of printed works, which significantly influenced my artistic style and the future direction of my art.
In the process of making silk-screen printing, I discovered that it had a great affinity with my drawing style. The unique process of screen printing demands a composition that’s all about simple lines and color blocks—something that resonated deeply with me since I have always placed great emphasis on pure line strokes.
This mutual influence led my art to naturally evolve into what it is today: simple, line-focused drawings with flat coloring. I find immense joy in this pure form of art; it feels like I’ve reconnected with the very essence of drawing.
In the future, I am excited to explore new possibilities. I’m particularly fascinated by 3D technology and dream of blending 3D modeling with my established drawing techniques. By marrying modern technology with traditional art forms, I hope to create even more compelling and innovative works.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As an artist, it’s really important for me to find a balance between staying true to my original work and engaging with the commercial market. This is something I’m always conscious of in my creative process.
I’m often torn. On one hand, I’m hesitant about having my work seen by a large audience. My art feels incredibly personal, almost like my diary. I channel all my thoughts about society, no matter mature or not, and my personal tastes into my creations, which gives them a unique emotional depth that I’m very proud of. Because of this, I usually feel more comfortable sharing my work with close friends and family—they make me feel safe.
But on the other hand, it’s part of an artist’s life to share their work with the public. It’s important for more people to hear the voice of my work and recognize its value to grow my artistic career.
Moving forward, finding and maintaining this balance is something I’ll need to spend a lot of time on. I need to challenge myself gradually and push myself to share my work with a wider audience. It’s about letting people see the passion and love I pour into my art, while still keeping a sense of inner peace.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an illustrator who loves working with silk-screen printing, etching printing, and other traditional media. These days, most people recognize me for my illustrations, which they often describe as vibrant and emotionally engaging.
Japanese culture has had a huge impact on my style. I’m especially drawn to the Showa era in Japan—a time when Eastern and Western influences mixed, creating a lively and dynamic cultural scene. I think this blending of cultures brings a fresh energy, and you can see this in my work through the playful mix of different elements.Silk-screen printing, with its traditional techniques, really fits the vintage style I’m passionate about conveying in my work. This unique style makes my art stand out, and it’s something I’m really proud of.
My family and friends often ask me to create art for them, and I’ve also had the chance to do illustrations for some commercial companies. It makes me really happy that people enjoy the strong retro Japanese vibe in my illustrations. Looking ahead, I hope to continue growing my career in commercial illustration.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yihetao.org
• Instagram: judgmentaljard
• Other: yihetaoart@gmail.com

Image Credits
Shengyang Zhang, Haoze Xue