Illustration feasts in Nanshan: Yealife

An illustration by Irena Freitas. Photos from Yealife Art Space

More than 600 award-winning illustrations from the past 3×3 International Illustration Awards are on display at Yealife Art Space.

The competitions organized by the 3×3 magazine bring together illustrators, art directors, editors and graphic designers from around the world. The magazine, founded in 2003, is devoted entirely to the art of contemporary illustration.

Highlighted illustrators at the exhibition include Alexandria Hall, Davide Bonazzi, Irena Freitas, Anna and Elena Balbusso, Fernando Cobelo and Aad Goudappel.

Hall’s works contain themes of surreal mystery and subtle sensuality, portraying contrasting delicate yet sharp depictions of our world. Interested in how small unseen moments of connection can carry unbridled emotion and intrigue, Hall uses vivid expressions to create a dreamy world filled with mystery and warmth. She is inspired by a blend of Western and Eastern art traditions including the Japanese Superflat movement and Art Nouveau.

Bonazzi has been working for major publishers, advertisers and institutions worldwide. His style combines digital and mixed media with textures of scanned found objects to give his bold conceptual illustrations a warm and evocative atmosphere.

Freitas loves illustrating people, funny situations that happen in our daily life, and whimsical stories.

With a deep knowledge of art history, the Balbusso twin sisters share a passion for illustration that has them working side by side. Their style has blossomed in 14 books for Black Cat Publishing, an Italian publisher of English-language classics for children.

Cobelo is known for his clean and sometimes childish illustrations. He depicts universes full of surreal dreams and vivid nightmares that trigger our thoughts and move our feelings, with lines in which it might be easy finding fragments of ourselves.

Goudappel delivers simple, but powerful illustrations. They translate complex ideas and abstract themes into powerful imagery. His distinctive style is characterized by the use of flat areas of color and the complete absence of lines. His mildly alienating images often contain multiple emotional layers that make his works both timeless and contemporary.

Dates: Until June 26

Hours: 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Tickets: 69 yuan

Venue: Yealife Art Space, 4/F, Yitian Holiday Plaza, Nanshan District (南山区益田假日广场四楼Yealife艺术空间)

Metro: Line 1 or 2 to Window of the World Station (世界之窗站), Exit L