YU ZOE CUI
Yu Zoe Cui is a Chinese queer visual artist whose work explores feminist narratives, ESEA identity, and queer intimacy through community-rooted projects. Her practice spans printmaking, collage, and experimental publishing, often combining tactile processes with research-driven storytelling. Yu’s work has been exhibited and presented in the UK, US, Germany, and France, where she engages audiences through both independent and institutional platforms. Her recent projects highlight a commitment to socially responsive art, using visual culture as a means to connect underrepresented voices across borders.
PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE
Jan 2025 -Present
Southbank Centre
London, UK
Visual communications for Southbank Centre’s arts and cultural programmes, with a focus on exhibition- related design. Contributed artwork and production support for major shows, including Exhibitions of Yoshitomo Nara, Gilbert and George, and Chiharu Shiota at The Hayward Gallery.
Led and created the visual design for the first ESEA Encounters festival, a festival celebrating East and Southeast Asian artists through a series of curated artistic programmes.
Led the visual identity creation for Chiharu Shiota and Yin Xiuzhen’s exhibition at Hayward Gallery Spring 2026.
Led the visual identity and art-working for A Poet in Every Port, part of the Southbank Centre's 75th Anniversary celebration initiated by the National Poetry Library.
March 2023 - Present
Freelance Artist & Visualizer
EXHIBITIONS/
EVENTS
2026
Solo Exhibition "Women in Chinese Character" - International Women's Day
Invited Artist, Southbank Centre, Rouen/Reims
March
Lead visual designer for a new arts and cultural festival celebrating East and Southeast Asian artists. Created site-wide visual artworks, including projections, posters, and digital assets across the venue.
Group Exhibition "In Between"
Exhibiting Artist, 37loosestreet Gallery, Plymouth
March
Invited to present ongoing community-based art project “Forever United Gay Hearts” focused on queer Asian solidarity.
"A Poet in Every Port" by National Poetry Library
Visual Lead, London
May
Invited to present ongoing community-based art project “Forever United Gay Hearts” focused on queer Asian solidarity. Created original collage works in collaboration with the local queer Asian diaspora as part of Berlin’s Cilens Film Program.
2025
ESEA Encounters Festival by Southbank Centre
Visual Lead, Southbank Centre, London
June
Lead visual designer for a new arts and cultural festival celebrating East and Southeast Asian artists. Created site-wide visual artworks, including projections, posters, and digital assets across the venue.
Asian Queers Reunited by CiLENSE
Invited Artist, Sinema Transtopia, Berlin July
Invited to present ongoing community-based art project “Forever United Gay Hearts” focused on queer Asian solidarity.
Photobook Pre-Launch & Exhibition: Good Day to Marry
Artist, Photobook Café Gallery, London
August
Photobook exhibition on Chinese queer intimacy. Hosted a public panel talk with local and international ESEA queer community at Photobook Cafe Gallery with a sold-out audience.
2024
Whitney Biennial 2024 - People Who Stutter Create: Stuttering Can Create Time
Collaborative Visual Artist, Whitney Museum, New York
March
Served as typography consultant for artist collective People Who Stutter Create. Worked on the public art
at the Whitney Biennial, creating Chinese text design. The work was exhibited on the Whitney Museum’s
billboard in New York City.
Barbican x Explorer’s Club: Open Dialogue Dey Play
Visual Artist, Barbican Curve Gallery, London
August
Visual artist for a community event presented by Explorer’s Club at Barbican’s Curve Gallery, leading
visual communication and contributing original book art for the event publication.
Solo Exhibition "Women in Chinese Characters"
Invited Artist, Confucius Institute of Brittany, France
September
Solo exhibition and community event as part of the “Made in China #6” cultural programme.
Group Exhibition "RAGE AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT"
Selected Artist, Red Art Club, London
November
Group exhibition of 15 international artists selected from over 200 applicants. The show explored global crises through visual protest and was recommended by Morning Star newspaper
2023
Debut Solo Exhibition "Women in Chinese Characters"
Artist, Accent Sisters, New York
March - May
Debut presentation of Women in Chinese Characters at Accent Sisters, a New York-based Chinese feminist gallery. The project was featured on It’s Nice That, and the accompanying books were sold out at the gallery's bookshop.
AWARDS & PRESS
2023 Young Ones ADC - Merit (PKX: Dynamic Mark)
2023 It’s Nice That: “Challenging the female radical characters of Chinese with artist Zoe Cui”
2024 Young Ones ADC - Merit (Women in Chinese Characters)
2024 D&AD New Blood - Wood Pencil
2025 C-IDEA Young Design Excellence Award
2025 Creative Lives In Progress: “Yu Zoe Cui on design, community and cultural connection”
2026 Ming Pao Weekly（Hong Kong）: xxxxxxxxxx
EDUCATION
Parsons School of Design, New York
BFA Communication Design
2023
Royal College of Art, London
MA Visual Communication
2024