Drawing attention to themselves

Also on show are a slew of Zhou's artworks that were created during the COVID-19 pandemic. They include A Glimpse of Life, a 2021 American Illustration chosen winner and a winner of the World Illustration Awards Longlist, organized by the US' Society of Illustrators.

"The artwork was created during the COVID-19 lockdown last year when dining at a restaurant with friends became difficult," Zhou says, adding that scenes we perhaps took for granted before the pandemic hit should not be forgotten.

Other illustrations include Modern Love, which describes the anxiety that young couples experience when separated, and the artwork, Hope, which uses tulips and inverted glasses as a form of encouragement during the pandemic.

Hope was a 2021 Communication Arts Illustration Competition Awards shortlist winner, organized by the US magazine Communication Arts.

Love, a piece by Tan, who graduated from the California College of the Arts, was inspired by a photo of his parents which was taken when they were in college in Shanghai.

"There may have been countless couples who, like my parents, made vows of love somewhere in Sinan," says Tan.

"Other works in this exhibition describe subtle moments in Shanghai, such as haircuts and public welfare scenes in our daily lives. I hope to recall some memories of Shanghai through my works," he adds.

According to Shi, a career as an illustrator has become increasingly popular among the younger generation. Hardly surprising, as more and more Chinese illustrators have been making a name for themselves around the world. One such person is Ni Chuanjing, who is also known as Victo Ngai, named as a Forbes 30 under 30 illustrator.

"You can see an increasing number of illustrators showcasing their artworks at places like the abC Art Book Fair in China or the UNFOLD Shanghai Art Bookfair," says Shi, 27, a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art in the US. "More Chinese are also choosing to study illustration abroad these days."