Interview: Nuode Li

Award Year
2025

Why did you choose to enter this work?
By combining soft‑ground etching, letterpress and book binding, this artist's book wants to show that illustration can engage with research‑driven ideas and themes yet remain sensorial and poetic.

What’s your favourite thing about your shortlisted project?
I love the fact that all the images in this project show something unspeakable beyond themselves. The book invites the audience to slow down and look at the familiar things in a new way.

What excites you most about being shortlisted?
I think it is a great encouragement to me and a great opportunity to bring my work to a wider audience. I also feel excited to meet many talented illustrators and their work through this opportunity.

Where do you usually work?
I enjoyed working in the printmaking and ceramic workshops. I currently focus on watercolor, clay and digital illustration. I also enjoy wandering around and capturing the fleeting moments.

How long did it take to complete your project?
The project actually went through several different phases, more than three months. There were lots of experiments and unexpected things. The etching plates and letterpress took much time to make.

What is your dream commission?
My dream commission would trust the experiential nature of my process. Perhaps a research-based project or a public space activity where audiences can visit or handle the work physically.

What’s your favourite thing to draw?
Currently I enjoy drawing the nature. I like the organic shapes and delicate details. They are beautiful no matter living or withering. I also enjoy drawing people with different emotions.

What is your best tip for other illustrators?
Document experiments carefully. Embrace the uncertainty and keep going on, though it would be suffering in the process. Sometimes you have to ignore other people’s voices and follow your heart.

What are your plans for the future?
I’m building a practice that balances the personal research projects with commissions. I believe in lifelong learning and am still on the journey of self-exploration, so let’s see what will happen.


View Entry