Kristen Liu-Wong’s illustrations are easily recognizable. Colored in her signature pastel pink, they have a neon sheen to them that’s reminiscent of Lisa Frank stickers. But while her color choices might appeal to children, her themes and subjects lean towards the naughty and grotesque. It’s such a juxtaposition that makes her work so unique.
According to Liu-Wong, her unique style is inspired by an eclectic blend of cultures and mediums, including American folk art, Japanese woodblock prints, Chinese pottery, and the Surrealist movement, as well as Nickelodeon cartoons. “I draw on so many sources for inspiration that it was hard to narrow it down to even these generalizations,” she remarked once in an interview with Studio Cult.
Born in San Francisco, Liu-Wong studied illustration at Pratt Institute and is currently based in Los Angeles. But being raised in a Chinese American household, she was also very much inspired by Asian art.
“The incredible graphic quality of Japanese woodblock prints (especially Shunga) are particularly inspirational to me and I love the beautiful intricacies of Chinese vases,” she says. “And while we’re talking about Asian art and artists, the photography of Nobuyoshi Araki is a big current influence.”
But it took Liu-Wong some time to find the correct balance between all these ingredients. “When I first applied to art school, I was doing pen and ink drawings of engines and I was wary of painting or even using color,” she notes. “In school I was forced out of my comfort zone and challenged to try new things and see new work.”
