Phillus
Xiao Hong
Xiao Hong is a professional illustrator and animator based in his hometown of Shanghai. Working full-time as a designer, he also creates independent short films and illustration books. His artistic practice explores themes of urban life, travel and childhood, capturing the visual rhythms and everyday vitality of the city through his distinctive approach to on-site sketching and mixed media.
Introduction to the Series
This series captures fleeting moments of urban life in Shanghai, the artist’s hometown, where the city’s landscapes are deeply intertwined with his everyday experiences. Through an expressive combination of coloured pencil, watercolour and ink, Xiao Hong explores the intimate relationship between personal memory and the urban environment.
The three works depict familiar scenes: a warm traditional breakfast, heavy traffic during the evening commute, and a leisurely stroll along the Bund after the rain. Combining spontaneous sketching with visual storytelling, the series conveys the emotions and quiet beauty found in Shanghai’s everyday life.
Strolling on the Bund after Rain
2025
Giclée print
42 × 29.7 cm
€70
Waiting in Traffic on the Way Home
2025
Giclée print
29.7 × 42 cm
€70
