Daily Inspiration: Meet Zhanhao Liang

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zhanhao Liang.

Hi Zhanhao, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am an illustrator and designer from China who graduated from the School of Visual Arts in 2023. Art has been a great part of my life ever since I took my first art class when I was four. I realized I could draw and paint much better than most of my peers and capture things from a unique angle. I am good at making images, but more to the point, I am fascinated by it. However, I never wanted art-making to be more than a hobby.

I spent my first year of college in Syracuse University. I was originally enrolled with an undecided major because I wanted to explore more options and see if college could offer me with new interests. However, after a humanity lecture on my very first day of college, I came to a realization that writing essays or conducting experiments are not something that I would want to spend four years doing. I quickly assembled a portfolio of my artworks and switched to illustration major, because I was astonished by the idea that I could express myself without using words, and my passion and understanding of art could reach a whole new level.

What I realized after my freshman year is that, in order to create powerful images, I have to see, feel, and absorb, which is why I decided to transfer to the School of Visual Arts in New York City. I could get the best education and resources as an illustration student, but more importantly, I got the chance to experience the blending of people, cultures, and history from every corner of the city. My time at SVA and in New York City not only broadened my perspective on image-making, it enlightened me that art is hidden everywhere, waiting for someone to discover and record it through their own unique approach. This idea really helped me form the style of illustration I make, and my surroundings remain to be my constant source of inspiration.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There certainly have been ups and downs along my artistic journey. When I was in college, the greatest challenge for me was knowing what I like and what I wanted to make. I was frustrated because I wanted to form my own style as an illustrator so that viewers could recognize my work, but what I created weren’t consistent. What I realized is that maybe I never need to have a consistent style, because whatever I create, only I could create them. A style merely reflects a temporary state of mind: a newly found interest, or influences from a great artist. With such a mindset, I have become more and more confident with the illustrations I make, and I’ve been thrilled to explore making different styles of work.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As an illustrator and designer, I am constantly intrigued and inspired by my surroundings, whether it’s a crowded subway train with no one speaking or a delicacy that triggers a childhood memory. I love to create crowded images where there are a lot of human interactions, because I am fascinated by the idea that I could tell not only the story of a single individual but dozens of others at the same time in one illustration.

My works are personal but somewhat relatable, because I believe that, no matter who you are or what you do, there are certain moments in life that we can all relate to. It can be as little as a broken pen that doesn’t work, but it’s what we’ve all experienced, thus what ties us all together. To me, it is such a beautiful thing, which is why I always love to leave as much details as I could in my work to let those who notice them know that, no matter what, you can always find humor in life if you look close enough.

Any big plans?
I am currently working as a part-time illustrator and a full-time media designer at an art center responsible for creating promotional posters for upcoming exhibitions, designing a user interface for the art center’s web page, and making short videos for promoting special events. Although I’m working in a field that I’m not familiar with, I believe it is a perfect opportunity for me to learn how to apply my aesthetic sensibility on other forms of visual communication in order to broaden my knowledge base and improve my skill sets. I am thrilled to learn new things every day. On the side, I’m still keeping the habit of making illustrations because it is something that I truly enjoy doing, and what I would very much love to focus on in my professional career later on.

I plan on becoming a freelance illustrator in the upcoming years because it is a lifestyle I honestly adore. It might be challenging, but its flexibility keeps my mind away from a restricted office desk and a never-ending nine-to-five timetable. It allows me to do what I love for a living, with the goal of bringing influence and inspiration to others through my own way of storytelling.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/jimmmm_art?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==