Let Joy Rise

This illustration is a collaboration between myself and Jessica Chiang, a multi-disciplinary artist based in Ventura, California. I created the illustration while Jessica handled the lettering.

“Let Joy Rise” depicts a night scene illuminated by the floating lanterns and millions of flickers from a goldfish as it bursts glowingly into the darkness. A young girl is saddled on the fish’s back with her grandma holding on tightly while a family excitedly watches from below.

This illustration represents our AAPI communities breaking the proverbial fishbowl that are stereotypes and preconceived monolithic notions. As anti-AAPI hatred spreads its darkness, we band together. We protect our elders. We uplift ourselves. We break our silence. We push back. Because we simply want to let our joy rise over hate.