photo: Liz Ham, Semi Permanent 2021

Chris Yee (b. 1989) initially majoring in graphic and textiles design, is an East Ryde (Sydney) based Artist, working Illustrator, Designer & Animator specialising in traditional “pen and paper” methodologies.

He 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 2000’s 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 90’s Ryde, amongst the strong communities of Eastwood he is a proud member of the evolving Asian-Australian Creative identity. He strongly believes there is a unique character and original narrative found within this 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 – Opera House, Vans, Red Bull, Universal Music and Marvel comics.

Chris Spoke at Sydney’s 2019 & 2021 Semi Permanent festival on Future creative youth and industry. In 2019 he created his first Permanent Heritage Artwork, ‘Tumbalong’ for Chinatown, Haymarket, Sydney. He is currently teaching Multi-disciplinary Arts at the University of Sydney and from 2022 is Part-Lead Producer for New York based, Global Entity – EST Media’s Australian Team.

In 2023 he took the main stage as a keynote speaker for Semi-Permanent’s 2023 Festival. Chris was chosen as one of the lead figures to represent Modern Asian-Australian’s as part of the launch of the ‘Museum of Chinese Australian’s (MOCA) ‘ in Sydney, Australia.

Selected exhibitions include:

52 Artists 52 Actions, Artspace, 2021, Sydney.

Hi MEDUSA! 2019, 4a Centre of Contemporary Asian Art, Chinese Garden of Friendship, Sydney.

No Más (with Andrew Yee), 2018, Wedge Gallery, Sydney;

SOFT, 2016, Superchief Gallery, Los Angeles;

Mad Love, 2015, Japan Foundation, Sydney;

Panorama, 2015, Kind Of- Gallery, Sydney;

Goliath Ballroom (with James Jirat Patradoon), 2015, Goodspace, Sydney;

Menace, 2013, Kind Of- Gallery, Sydney

Commercial Art and Animation include:

Genesis Owusu – Get Inspired (2023) (Director, Art Direction, Lead Animation, Illustration)

Subaru BRZ ‘Commercial’ (Director and Creative Lead) – Australia (2022)

Estée Lauder – La Mer 2021 LNY Year of the OX  (Art Direction, Branding, Design and Illustration) – New York (2021)

The Galeries – LNY 2020 (Art Direction, Branding, Animation, Design and Illustration) Sydney (2020)

‘Tumbalong’ – Heritage Artwork, Haymarket, Steam Mill Lane, Chinatown – City of Sydney (2019)

Sam Smith – The Lighthouse Keeper  ‘Animated music video’ (2020) (Animation, Art Direction, Illustration)

Justin Bieber – Yummy ‘Animated music video’ (2020) (Animation, Illustration)

Tokimonsta – Love that Never ‘Animated music video‘ (2019) (Animation, Illustration)

Tkay Maidza – Don’t Call Again ‘Music Video’ (2020) (Art Direction, Lead Animation, Illustration)

Free Nationals ft. Kali Uchi and Mac Miller – Time ‘Animated music video (2019) (Animation, Illustration)

Leven Kali – Too High ft. Buddy, Na’kel Smith ‘Animated music video’ (2018) (Directed, animated and edited)

Zeds Dead X Diplo – Blame ‘Animated music video’ (2017) (Directed, animated and edited)

Zeds Dead X NGHTMRE – Frontlines ‘Animated music video’ (2017) (Directed, animated and edited)

Harley Davidson – “Valentines Day” ‘Animated Ad Campaign ‘(2017) (Animation, Illustration)

Sony Australia – Muteki Speaker ‘Animated Ad Campaign’ (2017) (Animation, Illustration)

Select Clients Include – EST Media, Museum of Chinese Australians, Subaru, Meta, Lexus, SBS Australia, Apple, Estée Lauder, Kia, Lexus, Apple, Zeds Dead, Justin Bieber, Sam Smith, Mac Miller, Diplo, Rezz, TokiMonsta, Nike Sportswear, Tkay Maidza, Hurley, Puma, Red Bull, Mad Decent, Macbeth, VIVID Festival Sydney, Power Rangers, Paul Frank, The Japan Foundation, Sony Australia, Sony Pictures, Sony Music, Universal Music, Capsule Store, Vans, Boiler Room, Harley Davidson, Samsung, Opera House, Semi-Permanent, Gucci