A cultural phenomenon

Inspired by traditional artifacts and elements, young artist breathes life into history and legends, tapping into a growing confidence in Chinese heritage, Cheng Yuezhu reports.

For the general masses, cultural artifacts may often seem antiquated and distant, yet a gifted few are able to exert their imagination and bring the objects vividly to life by capturing their essence through artistic expression.

Illustrator Wan Yue, as one of them, has found her own way of giving traditional cultural elements a modern touch with her ability to transform static objects into aesthetically pleasing characters.

From the different varieties of tea leaves, she sees a group of youths from ancient China, each with a unique appearance and personality. And from China's abundant resources of archaeological artifacts, she envisions ethereal, gallant or imperial characters, inviting viewers to explore their captivating stories, all grounded in Chinese history.