Felicia Chiao recalls a whimsical childhood aspiration: “When I was really little, I wanted to be one of those stackable chairs you’d see in like a school auditorium,” she explains, noting their cozy appearance. This memory fuels one of her playful illustrations, where her distinctive characters are piled atop each other. In this imagined world, layers dominate as calendars and clocks protrude from the walls in thick stacks, while books and dishes accumulate on the floor.
Chiao’s artistry is celebrated for its warm illustrations that explore emotions and mental health through surreal, flower-laden scenes. Using pencil, ink, and watercolor, she creates pieces that feel both timeless and reflective of modern life’s complexities, where today’s anxieties and challenges manifest through intriguing characters.
Besides her domestic-themed artwork, Chiao is expanding her collection of Lunar New Year illustrations, featuring the animal of the year amid a gilded and crimson setting.
Experimentation and restraint are key to Chiao’s creative process. Reflecting on a past collaboration with Heath Ceramics, she notes, “While it was a completely different medium than what I am used to, I think it has influenced my drawing process.” This influence has led her to explore mixed media, incorporating watercolor, colored pencils, markers, and occasionally gouache or gel pen. Chiao finds joy in customizing the mats for frames to enhance her artwork, turning the typically plain white material into a complementary element.
This October, Chiao is set to open a solo exhibition with Harman Projects, with more exhibitions planned in the coming years. Her prints are available in her shop, and her latest creations and collaborations can be followed on Instagram.
