Blending together elements of anime and retro American cartoons, Sashiko Yuen's illustrations take the teenage female form as its subject. Exploring elements such as loneliness, shame, discomfort and exclusion, Shashiko Yuen (aka Wishcandy) uses a combination of surrealistic elements paired with authentic, lifelike representations.
A particularly evocative portrait centers around a young, blue-haired teenage girl holding an over-sized Easter egg. The audience immediately recognizes the look of despair but as the attention shifts from the facial expression to the "x-shaped" eyes to the tattoos of scissors across her body, the notion of self-criticism becomes progressively more articulated.
Teenage years are a turbulent time for many young individuals, feeling the need to appease a crowd at the expense of one's own personal identity. Shashiko Yuen captures that sense of disappearing innocence in this collection of illustrations.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Anime-inspired Illustrations
- Artists can capitalize on the growing popularity of anime-inspired illustrations, creating unique and captivating artworks that appeal to a wide range of audiences.
- Exploring Teenage Emotional Turmoil
- There is an opportunity for therapists and mental health professionals to use art as a medium to help teenagers express and cope with their emotional struggles in a safe and creative way.
- Combining Surrealism and Realism
- Artists and designers can explore the combination of surrealistic and lifelike elements in their work, creating visually captivating pieces that engage the viewer on multiple levels.
Where This Applies
- Art and Design
- Artists can find new ways to incorporate elements of anime and surrealism into their work, pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms and attracting a wider audience.
- Therapy and Mental Health
- Therapists and mental health professionals can incorporate art therapy techniques into their practice, helping teenagers explore and express their emotions in a supportive and creative environment.
- Publishing and Entertainment
- Publishers and entertainment companies can explore collaborations with artists and illustrators who specialize in creating anime-inspired illustrations, tapping into the growing demand for unique and visually captivating content.
