Yilin Xu is an illustrator and full-time interior designer whose work seamlessly bridges artistic expression and spatial awareness. With a background in interior design and architecture, her illustrations are deeply informed by an understanding of how spaces shape human emotions. Her work isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about storytelling, cultural memory, and the unseen narratives woven into our surroundings.
Growing up in Guilin, a city rich in history and minority cultures, Yilin developed a deep appreciation for heritage and identity. This upbringing cultivated a sensitivity to spatial nuances and a curiosity about how culture and space intertwine. Her artistic journey began during her studies in interior design, where she discovered her ability to translate complex concepts into vivid, visually compelling narratives. Today, her illustrations reflect architectural influences while exploring themes of belonging, memory, and human interaction with space.
Yilin’s latest series turns a critical eye toward the lives of garment workers, particularly Asian immigrant women. The series consists of three intricate pieces, each centered around the sewing machine—a powerful symbol of both labor and struggle. She reflects that many garment workers likely spent more time with their sewing machines than with their families, as it became an inseparable part of their daily lives.
Her research into the subject led her to historical photographs and documentaries, where sewing machines consistently appeared alongside the women who operated them. Fascinated by their intricate mechanics, Yilin used these details as a metaphor for the complex and often overlooked hardships faced by garment workers—low wages, excessive overtime, and the challenges of working mothers forced to bring their children into factory spaces.
In her pieces, she deliberately exposes the internal mechanical structures of the sewing machine, bringing hidden struggles to the forefront. The precise details serve as a visual parallel to the harsh conditions these women endured—stories of resilience, sacrifice, and systemic inequities that continue to persist in labor and immigrant communities.
As an Asian woman, Yilin is deeply connected to historical narratives that reflect her sense of ethical belonging and cultural identity. Her work is more than illustration—it is an act of remembrance and advocacy. Through visual storytelling, she hopes to honor their stories and amplify their voices. She wants the viewers to not only recognize their struggles but also reflect on the broader issues of labor rights and social justice. With this series, Yilin stitches together history, emotion, and activism, ensuring that the stories of these women are neither forgotten nor ignored.
