Author’s note from Yao:
After a successful run for 10 years, Baopu will now be published on my Substack: https://yaoxiaoart.substack.com/ Subscribe for my future work and other comics! You can always find me on Instagram also: @yaoxiaoart.
It is an amazing accomplishment to have a ten-year-and-running cartoon. Autostraddle will always be Baopu’s hometown, where she came of age and experienced heartbreaks, estrangements, and reunions with readers she never would have met otherwise. When I first started, I didn’t even know what her name was, should be— over the years, with a growing readership, I and the character both found our identity. I experienced such tenderness through this work. I have met readers at conventions, and it always warms my heart when you say hi. Thank you to all the editors who accepted this odd, messy, unruly cartoon and gave her a voice. Let’s meet again! Find me on Substack
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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 139 articles for us.
Thank you for these last 10 years. I have so enjoyed Baopu’s timeless, heartfelt messages and beautiful illustrations, and I’ve been so happy to see it stick around through many changes in my own life. What a huge accomplishment to hit a decade and I look forward to following Baopu in its new home.
I bought one of your pieces at SPX, probably in 2015? And I still have it framed on my windowsill because it encapsulates your ability to distill complex emotions down to their essence.
Wishing you all the best in this next chapter!
I’ll miss seeing Baopu strips here!! & will definitely follow on substack.
autostraddle y’all better not be cutting allllll the comic strips…
Sure seems like it. Already did that to mini crosswords.
I love your work – thank you for sharing with us! See you on Substack.
I don’t even know what to say… Thank you for the past 10 years <3 On to the next 10 via your substack!
Thanks for 10 years of wonderful comics – I’ll definitely be following you onto Substack.
My heartfelt gratitude for your art, your vision, and for peeking into my soul !
Here’s to new beginnings !
Thank you Yao! I’m going to miss seeing this on Autostraddle, but will continue to find you elsewhere.
Seems odd to have a prompt for AF+ membership to support content like this at the bottom when it’s already been cut
I’ve loved this series so much, and am really glad it’ll be continuing elsewhere. ❤️