Chenyue Yuan | Illustrator and Researcher of Social Histories

Chenyue Yuan is a London-based illustrator, community practitioner, and educator whose work investigates the intricate relationships between physical sites and their underlying social histories. Having earned an MA in Visual Communication from the Royal College of Art and a BA in Archival Science from Sun Yat-Sen University, Chenyue Yuan uniquely blends archival methodologies with field observation to create retroactive, multi-voiced narratives. This research-based practice often utilizes a combination of traditional and digital drawing alongside text to bring hidden or ordinary stories to life. A significant portion of the work by Chenyue Yuan centers on participatory processes, aiming to give a voice to communities and explore themes of labor, migration, and cultural resonance. Notable projects include 'Pearl's Daughters,' a literary collage that explores the industrial history of the Pearl River Delta and the lives of female migrant workers, for which Chenyue Yuan received recognition as a V&A Illustration Awards runner-up. Other significant works like 'City of Collective Ideals' and 'Urban Archaeology' further demonstrate a commitment to using illustration as a tool for social inquiry. Beyond personal practice, Chenyue Yuan serves as an educator, with positions at the University for the Creative Arts and Central Saint Martins. The work of Chenyue Yuan has been featured in prestigious publications such as the New York Times and Die Zeit, reflecting a practice that bridges the gap between historical archival research and contemporary visual art. By moving between empathy, distance, and interpretation, Chenyue Yuan continues to explore how illustration can serve as a bridge between the past and the present.