Photo by Carl Rickard

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𓇗 About

Danzhu Hu is an award-winning visual storyteller, currently specializing in illustration and fine art painting. After graduating with a B.E. degree, she received her master’s degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology, MFA Illustration program.

Hu builds her visual language by collecting aesthetic cues from nature’s organic shapes, Art Nouveau ornaments, atmospheric cinematography, and beyond. Her work is whimsically melancholic with a touch of symbolism, where loose lines and vibrant colors prevail.

Hu loves exploring the infinite possibilities of visual storytelling by experimenting with different media. For her, it’s all about playfulness. Hu's professional practice is always somewhat personal and intimate. With gentle curiosity, she treads the labyrinth of intricate themes, beginning by searching for the emotional anchor and then retelling the story as if it were her very own. Thus, her work often evokes the sensation of a sentient, breathing creature residing in an otherworldly realm of emotions. Through her practice, Hu wishes to create a visual world where the most cryptic, subtle, and complicated emotions can be captured, translated, and cherished.

Her partial clients include:

TIME Magazine, The Markup, The New Republic, The Baffler, Sojourners, Ramona Magazine, VinePair, Nylon China, ELLEMEN China

Penguin Random House, TorBooks, Aolike Books

ban.do, Shein

To work with Danzhu? Send an email to danzhuhu.info at gmail.com!


Awards

2023 World Illustration Awards 2023, Longlisted.

2023 American Illustration 42, Chosen Winner.

2023 Ijungle Illustration Awards 2022, Merit.

2023 Creative Quarterly 71, Runner-up.

2022 Creative Quarterly 69, Winner.

2021 Illustration West 60, Selected.

2021 The Eighth China Illustration Biannual, Selected.

2020 3X3 Magazine, Honorable Mention.

Press

2023 Visual Atelier 8: The Intricate Art of Danzhu Hu is Exploring the Emotional Human Experience

2023 Al-Tiba9: INTERVIEW | Danzhu Hu

2022 Creative Boom: Visual Artist Danzhu Hu Crafts a Surreal and Melancholic World Where Trauma Can Be Reimagined

2022 Supersonic Art: Electrifying works from Chinese artist Danzhu Hu

2021 Degu: Danzhu Hu / All About Playfulness

Exhibitions

2024 The 9th Annual Red Envelope Show, New York City.

2023 SUPERSONIC: VISIONS presented by Supersonic Art.

2023 Intersections | Cross-sections, Toronto

2023 Diversia December 2022 presented by Exhibizone.

2023 MoCCA Arts Festival, New York City.

2022 MoCCA Arts Festival, New York City.

2022 UNITY presented by The Holy Art Gallery, London.

2022 Yes! Art Festival, Beijing.

2022 STILLLIFE ART FAIR, New York City.

2022 Illustration MFA Visual Thesis Exhibition: End of the Line, New York City.

2021 Yes! Art Festival 5.0, Shenzhen,

2021 Remote Landing Global Graduation Show, Beijing.

2019 Diversity Comic-Con, New York City.