Society of Illustrators 59 Victo NgaiVery honored to have 5 singles and 1 series accepted into

Society of Illustrators 59 

Victo Ngai

Very honored to have 5 singles and 1 series accepted into Society of Illustrators 59 annual competition this year, including a SILVER medal for “Clover”. Big thanks to the Society, the Jury, my AD Irene Gallo from Tor, Maria Keehan from Smithsonian Magazine, Len Small from nautilus, James Park from Black Dragon Press and the ad agency Alldayeveryday. 

Making art and promoting art have been trivial these couple weeks after the presidential election but this piece of good news from society reminds me that art can be the best tool to bring people together, it’s a universal language that embraces all. I have never felt any adverse effect on my career for being a female minority, and I think I have taken that for granted. The current political climate has been a reality check, it reminds me that it’s very easy to hate and demonize, to thinking the world as “us” vs “ them”, while it takes the best of us to understand and empathize. I have been extremely lucky to be born at this time and be working in an industry and living in cities that’s very accepting. I need to remember that I am able to live the life I live now because of those who fought the battles before me, for me.

I want to thank Director Anelle Miller from Society for creating such a all-inclusive community and all the people I work with, and all the mentors I have along the way for treating me as an equal, professional illustrator even when I was a shrimp coming out of college. Thank you!