Visual Thesis Exhibition 2024
Welcome to the 2024 MFA Illustration Visual Thesis Exhibition at The Gallery at FIT!
The exhibition will run from June 5th-June 30th. The opening reception is on June
20th, 6-8 pm.
2024 MFA Illustration Candidates
Alessandro Echevarria
Alessandro Echevarria is an Illustrator raised by a pack of wild TVs at the foot of the Italian Alps, and his work is deeply influenced by animation. Through the use of traditional media techniques in a digital space, and the language of cartooning, his work comments on class, history, and politics with wry wit.
A reformed advertising creative, he’s experienced working with AAA clients like Duracell,
Delta, Nike, or Lyft, as well as local educational non-profits helping kids stay busy
and out of trouble.
Web: lamekids.club/
Instagram: @skulldaggery
Bingjing Sun
Bingjing Sun is a New York-based illustrator whose work merges fantasy, futurism, and humanism. Using vibrant palettes, motion graphics and augmented reality, she crafts immersive pieces aimed at exploring human experiences and envisioning future landscapes. Influenced by her Chinese heritage and global travels, her work propels audiences into new emotional and thoughtful dimensions.
Web: sunbingjing.com
Instagram: @bingjing_sun
Christina Lee
Christina Lee is a Korean-American illustrator and designer based in Brooklyn, NY by way of San Jose, CA and Pittsburgh, PA. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Art, she is a co-founder of Pullproof Studio, a community screenprinting studio, and Alright Editions, a small press. Her prints, zines, animations, and comics are defined by expressive mark making, concise compositions, and colorfully absurd subjects. Her select clients include The New York Times, LA Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, and American Greetings. She has exhibited at Comic Arts Brooklyn, Small Press Expo, Feminist Zine Fest, and LA Zine Fest, and her work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators and American Illustration. She teaches in the Illustration undergraduate department at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Web: www.xtinalee.com
Instagram: @xxtinalee
Diana O'Brien
I live in Huntington, NY, on Long Island with my husband John and our children, Grace, 6, and Declan, 3. I got an AAS degree from FIT in ‘99, and a BA in Visual Communications from SUNY Farmingdale in ‘04. I have worked as a graphic designer for Motorola and other corporations, as well as a muralist in children’s hospitals, and an illustrator. Currently I am head of marketing a global company. I am the founder of Authors of Hope, a (501c3 pending) nonprofit publishing house that serves children who have stories to tell.
Web: dianaobrienart.com , authorsofhope.org
Instagram: @dianaobrienart, @AuthorsOfHopeBooks
Greer De Maglie
I am a cartoonist, illustrator and MFA Illustration ‘24 candidate based in Brooklyn. I hold a BFA in Animation form the School of Visual Arts and am currently represented by Maria Vicente at P.S. Literary. I am interested in making nonfiction and fiction work based on lesser known histories and the intersections of the political and personal.
Izzy Singer
I am an illustrator/comic artist/animator born and raised in NYC. My comics and illustrations have been published in literary magazines since 2021. I work with traditional media (color pencils, inks, dip pens, and paints) and digitally. I have a background in animation and like to use movement and color in my illustrations. My comics largely center on fantasy, urban life, memoir, the environment, disability, and horror.
Linzi Chen
I am an illustrator and fashion designer originally from China and now based in New York. I studied fashion design for my undergraduate and master’s and currently pursuing my MFA degree at FIT.
I love fashion and observing people, objects, time, and space. As images are being formed with emotions in my mind, I let them flow out naturally onto the paper. Realism is my main style, and I mostly use watercolor and digital to create my fashion world. My art and fashion work are more than just mere clothing. As I embark on my creative journey, I aspire to express the emotions and thoughts from my inner world through the lens of fashion and my creativity.
Web: linzichen.art/
Instagram: @linnzi_chen
Livi Carlen
Livi Carlen is a New York based illustrator and graphic designer. Her art reflects on the playful, emotional and nostalgic moments in life, through stories about coming of age and relationships with ourselves and the world. Carlen always aims to create a welcoming environment for viewers by inspiring curiosity and feelings within people through colorful and lively illustrations.
Miranda Moorhead
I am an artist and illustrator based in Queens, NY. My work weaves dramatic colors and light with myth and folklore – investigating themes of eternal human questions, emotions and beliefs through the lenses of horror, religion, and mythology. I seek to work in the publishing industry to create book covers and illustrated novels, and the entertainment industry creating posters and concept art for film, exhibition design and theater
Web: mirandamoorhead.com
Instagram: @mirandamoorhead
Pingnan Lu
Pingnan Lu is a talented illustrator, comic artist, and visual creator originally from China and currently based in New York City. Her works have been recognized by many international Art/ Design competitions including but not limited to the Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, Japan Illustrator's Association, China Illustration Biennial, IJungle Illustration Awards, etc. With a delicate artistic style, she expertly crafted captivating narratives through spatially aware shapes. Drawing upon her expertise in printing and binding, Pingnan creates exquisite artworks that come to life as tangible entities. Her works reflect her intriguing soul and profound contemplation, allowing audiences to intuitively connect with her unique perspective.
Web: pingnan-lu.com
Rinn Wight
Hailing from Long Island New York, Rinn is an illustrator who’s passion for crafting visual narratives started at a young age,
initially discovering this passion at Warped Tour 2009; through the raw emotion of a band pouring their hearts out and thevcollective response of a crowd echoing back. Witnessing how music can unify people and resonate with millions sparked a deep desire within her to be a part of that connection.
The visual elements and branding associated with music go beyond mere design; they link an artist and their audience. The imagery accompanying a musical narrative has the power to strengthen the bond between creator and listener, enhancing the overall experience. Musicians create songs that people can relate to, understand on an emotional level, and tell a narrative we, as listeners, can relate to. It is the job of an Illustrator and designer to connect this audible narrative to visuals.
Rinn currently resides in a shoebox located in the heart of Bushwick, Brooklyn, sharing her creative sanctuary with her partner, Bryan, and their Siberian Husky, Klaus. When she’s not tackling a project, she can be found in the pit at a live show or getting competitive at her local trivia night.
Web: RinnWight.com
Instagram: @RinnWight
Sarah Neil
Sarah Neil is a Southwest raised, Asian-American Artist and Illustrator based in Manhattan, New York. Upon graduating from Santa Clara University with a BA in Neuropsychology and BFA in Studio Art, she moved across coasts to further her education in the arts. Through a multifaceted approach to portraiture, life drawing, and visual journalism, Sarah brings color, movement, and personality to paper. Her work is largely focused on social justice topics such as race, sex, gender, class, and equity– with an emphasis on advocating for discrepancies in women’s rights. She believes that visual communication and comic relief are universal languages across cultures.
Soo JI Lee
I was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. Currently I live in Brooklyn, New York.
I am an Illustrator did Calendar Design with hand painting illustrations. I want
to do children's’ book with my own illustrations but I’m looking for a collaboration
with other artists.
Ti Xu
I am an illustrator and comic artist from China, currently based in New York.
With a BFA degree in product design, I received training in imagining things in three
dimensions. This shapes my way of understanding and approaching illustrations: I create
imaginary worlds full of depth and numerous facets.
My art practice is uncurbed and messy, as is my enthusiasm in exploring a diversity
of mediums and genres, including comics, posters and animations.
Xiao Lyu
Yixuan Wu
Yixuan Wu is a Chinese-born illustrator and artist based in New York City. Growing up in a place with thousands of years of history, she gravitates to historical visual traditions. These encompass both Asia and Western world, as well as vintage film and theatrical works. She adapts these traditions for contemporary subject matter, using her modern and female perspective.
Yixuan Wu is a Chinese-born illustrator and artist based in New York City. Growing up in a place with thousands of years of history, she gravitates to historical visual traditions. These encompass both Asia and Western world, as well as vintage film and theatrical works. She adapts these traditions for contemporary subject matter, using her modern and female perspective.
Web: artbyyixuan.myportfolio.com/
Instagram: @_yixuan.wu_