Baopu #83: I Am of This World

Yao lays against an oversized plant that's as big as city buildings, above them is a word bubble that reads: "Come home to me. I am here." Beyond the plants is the cityscape and beneath them roots grow deep. Surrounding these images is the following poem, centered in the illustration: "I am not without home. I am the home. I am not between worlds. I am OF the world, witness to ALL the ways it’s CONNECTED."

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Yao Xiao

Yao Xiao is a China-born illustrator based in New York City. Yao Xiao creates artwork depicting a poetic visual world where complex concepts and human emotions are examined, amplified, and given physical form. Her work has helped people all over the globe connect at unique moments, from the celebration of the 20 Year Anniversary of the SXSW Interactive Festival, to the grand release of pop singer Katy Perry's single 'Dark Horse.' She has created deeply emotional and beautiful graphics for editorial print publications, pop music record covers, concert posters and book covers. Yao Xiao's serialized comic Baopu currently runs monthly on Autostraddle. It is an original comic exploring the nuances in searching for identities, connections and friendships through the fictional life of a young, queer emigrant. Baopu stands for 'holding simplicity,' a Taoist ideal of wishing to return to a simpler state. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Etsy or her website.

Yao has written 129 articles for us.

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