Baopu #81: The Ache Has No Name

In a three panel soft water color, first we we close ups of people in a populated city by their close feet walking together, then we see a variety of people of different ages, genders, and races in face masks. Finally we see a green plant bursting through the cold concrete and Yao is writing in their notebook. Throughout these images is the following poem: " Every single one of us wants to scream, wants to dream, wants to reach that soft, whispering ache behind the iron-clad core and breathe — even if just for a second. The ache has no name."

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Yao Xiao

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 135 articles for us.

2 Comments

  2. These are so consistently brilliant and beautiful. Where’s your MacArthur fellowship already. <3

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