Baopu #48: I Want to Come Home

10 Years Ago: Mom! Everything is fine. Things are very simple and easy in America. Don't be so serious, okay? 6 Years Ago: Look, I don't KNOW how to live life the "normal" way. I never HAVE. If you and Dad have it all figured out, why aren't you here? 4 Years Ago: I'm bi. I'm seeing someone. That's why I haven't been calling. I don't know what to say. Oh God. A few years after that: [a figure confused and crying] This year: Mom, I miss you. Everything is different now. I want to come home more. I wish it was easier for us to see each other more often... I've been in America for 12 years...

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Yao Xiao

Yao Xiao is a China-born illustrator based in New York City. Yao Xiao creates artwork depicting a poetic visual world where complex concepts and human emotions are examined, amplified, and given physical form. Her work has helped people all over the globe connect at unique moments, from the celebration of the 20 Year Anniversary of the SXSW Interactive Festival, to the grand release of pop singer Katy Perry's single 'Dark Horse.' She has created deeply emotional and beautiful graphics for editorial print publications, pop music record covers, concert posters and book covers. Yao Xiao's serialized comic Baopu currently runs monthly on Autostraddle. It is an original comic exploring the nuances in searching for identities, connections and friendships through the fictional life of a young, queer emigrant. Baopu stands for 'holding simplicity,' a Taoist ideal of wishing to return to a simpler state. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Etsy or her website.

Yao has written 132 articles for us.

7 Comments

  2. Baopu is my favorite.
    13 years this year. I get it. Virtual hug, if you’d like one.

  4. Mom, I miss you.
    I wish it was easier for us to see each other more often.
    Things are different now.

    <3
    There’s an ocean and my mom’s alcoholism between my mother and I.
    Giant chasms full of chimaeras.
    16 years.

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