Meet Lily Li

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lily Li. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lily below.

Lily, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

My optimism actually comes from two places that might seem contradictory at first: trust and pessimism.
I think it stems from a kind of trust in myself. For instance, I’ve always believed that I won’t betray others, and somehow, that belief extends outward—I believe most people won’t betray me either. In a way, optimism is like a projection of how we treat the world. If I carry myself with integrity and honesty, I tend to expect the same from others. It’s not naïve—it’s rooted in how I choose to show up.
Second, and perhaps more paradoxically, my optimism comes from my pessimism. I always imagine the worst-case scenario for any decision I make. And when you’ve already accepted the worst that could happen, everything else will just be better than expected. It’s not that I think things will always go well—it’s that I’m mentally prepared if they don’t. That kind of preparation makes me feel more stable and less afraid, which strangely makes me more open, more willing to try, and yes, more optimistic.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

As an ethnic Koreans in China artist raised in Beijing, I grew up witnessing both subtle and overt forms of systemic discrimination. Early on, I turned to literature to process my experiences, but soon realized drawing could express emotions that words sometimes fail to capture — complex feelings like internalized rage, grief, and the contradictions of living under political and social structures that silence dissent.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point for me. It revealed how deeply political power can invade private life, bodies, and emotional worlds. Art for me became not just a mode of expression, but a form of resistance — a way to witness, document, and challenge injustice. Through illustration, comics, and visual narratives, I try to create space for uncomfortable truths and to reimagine how stories can be told.
Professionally, I focus on storytelling rooted in emotional honesty and political awareness. My work combines traditional materials like watercolor and colored pencil with layered textures on unique surfaces like rice paper over wood panels. My recent illustrated book, Northbound, explores themes of forced displacement and migration policy, weaving personal and collective histories into a visual narrative that confronts myths about freedom.
What excites me most about my work is how it holds space for contradiction — for grief, anger, and dignity without easy answers. I hope my art doesn’t offer escape but rather invites deeper confrontation with reality.
Currently, I’m working on expanding Northbound through exhibitions and collaborations, while developing new projects that continue to explore identity, migration, and social justice, especially movie poster projects. I’m grateful to have support from mentors and friends who encourage me to take risks and push boundaries in my visual storytelling.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: emotional honesty, storytelling ability, and resilience.
First, emotional honesty has allowed me to confront complex feelings like grief and anger, which fuels the authenticity in my art. I believe understanding and accepting your own emotions is essential for creating meaningful work.
Second, developing storytelling and visual language skills helped me communicate not just aesthetics but deep social and political narratives. It’s important to find your unique voice in how you tell stories visually.
Lastly, resilience and a willingness to take risks have been critical. Facing challenges, especially growing up in a complex environment, taught me to keep pushing forward and to experiment boldly with my art.
For those starting out, I’d advise focusing on self-awareness by exploring your emotions through journaling or drawing. Practice storytelling by studying different narrative styles and try to find the one that resonates with you. And don’t shy away from challenges — growth often happens outside your comfort zone. Embrace failure as part of the creative process, and keep evolving.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m definitely open to partnerships and collaborations in several areas. I’m especially interested in working with independent filmmakers to create unique, expressive posters that capture the spirit of their films.
At the same time, I’m looking to connect with publishing agencies interested in bringing illustrated books to life, as I’m passionate about storytelling through the medium of visual narratives. Additionally, I want to expand into editorial illustration, using my art to engage more deeply with political and social issues, giving voice to topics I care about and sparking important conversations.
If you’re an indie filmmaker, publisher, or editorial team looking for a creative collaborator who is committed to emotional honesty and social impact, please reach out through my website or social media. I’m excited to explore meaningful projects together.

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Image Credits

Lily Li

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