Chris Yee (b. 1989) is based in East Ryde, Sydney where he works as an Illustrator, Designer & Animator specialising in traditional “pen and paper” methodologies. Initially majoring in graphic and textiles design, Chris believes in the power of character and storytelling and is heavily drawn to constructing narratives ranging from the humorous to the monstrous and macabre. Inspired by Comics, Wrestling, K-pop, punk and 2000s rap, it is the Hyperreal and grey area within these genres, the blurring believability between reality and fiction that he finds most engaging. Growing up in Ryde of the 1990s and living in Eastwood, he has been raised at the cultural crossroads of Chinese, Korean and Australian suburbia and is a proud member of the evolving Asian-Australian creative identity. He strongly believes that there is a unique character and original narrative found within this ever-changing community.
Outside his art practice, Chris is a designer and animator who has produced work for some of Australia’s best-known brands, including VIVID Festival Sydney, Apple, Sony Australia, Estée Lauder, Samsung, Sydney Opera House, Vans, Red Bull, Universal Music and Marvel comics. Chris was invited to speak at Sydney’s 2019 Semi Permanent Festival on Future creative youth and industry. In 2019, he created his first Permanent Heritage Artwork, ‘Tumbalong’ for Chinatown, Haymarket, Sydney.