In just the past few years, Yicheng Zhu, also known as Cici Zhu, has distinguished herself in three different artistic fields. In only 5–6 years of active work, she has mastered and achieved recognition in concept art, abstract painting, and tattooing. Today, Cici is a vivid representative of a new generation of artists who merge tradition and contemporary media into a cohesive practice.
“I discovered my passion for drawing in childhood and later enrolled at the ArtCenter College of Design in Los Angeles,” she recalls.
It was there that Cici Zhu received rigorous training and took part in game development projects, including Apex Legends and Grkart. Her experience as a concept artist shaped her approach to design as a discipline of problem-solving – balancing research and originality so that every project carried both logic and innovation.
At the same time, Cici developed her painting practice, particularly abstract work inspired by dreams and subconscious imagery. Her paintings have been exhibited at prestigious venues such as the Kehler Liddell Gallery, the Honeywell Fine Arts Exhibition, the 62nd Annual Juried Competition at the Masur Museum of Art, and the 12th Annual Abstract Sanctuary festival. These projects helped solidify her reputation as an artist able to work across mediums and concepts.
A new chapter in her career began when Cici turned to tattooing.
“My transition from the gaming industry into tattooing became a natural continuation of my path. A former classmate who had become a tattoo artist inspired me,” she recalls.
What began as an experiment quickly became an essential part of her practice. Tattooing allowed Cici Zhu to interact directly with people, transforming cultural, personal, and symbolic elements into meaningful designs.
“When I began tattooing, I recognized it as more than surface design – it is storytelling that lives permanently on the body, which led me to consider the kinds of stories I wanted to tell,” she says.
Her style developed gradually, drawing on her background in concept art and painting. By incorporating elements such as ink painting, xieyi brushwork, or Tibetan symbolism into her work, Cici creates tattoos that are both visually expressive and culturally rich – a form of personal expression that also fosters cross-cultural dialogue.
She especially values creating tattoos that intertwine cultural motifs with personal symbolism. Designs rooted in traditional Chinese aesthetics — whether ink-inspired brushwork, expressive floral forms, or mythological imagery – hold particular significance for her, as they allow her to share her heritage in an intimate artistic medium. She also greatly appreciates projects where clients bring their own stories, as translating these narratives into visual form adds depth to her work.
Her main sources of inspiration are cultural history and personal experience. Cici Zhu frequently revisits Chinese artistic traditions – from classical painting to regional folklore – to enrich her visual vocabulary. At the same time, dreams and subconscious imagery infuse her practice with emotional and abstract qualities. The balance between these sources provides her with creative energy and a clear sense of purpose in her tattoo work.
“I chose to focus on traditional Chinese motifs because I take pride in my cultural background and feel a responsibility to represent it in contemporary contexts.”
In 2025, Cici stepped onto the tattoo convention stage for the first time. She participated in the Twin Cities Tattoo Fest in Minnesota, the Oklahoma City Tattoo Fest, and the All American Tattoo Convention in Washington. Minnesota left the deepest impression – it was her very first convention as an exhibitor. For two days she came close to winning, but on the third day she pulled through and claimed first and second place in the Fresh Small Black and Gray category.
“That recognition was profoundly moving and meaningful to me,” she shares.
Later, she won awards at other festivals, but none compared to the emotion of that first triumph.
Today, Cici Zhu works in Los Angeles at Gee Ink Tattoo under the mentorship of GH. The team consists of artists with professional art backgrounds who have built an independent creative space together.
According to her, Los Angeles offers both challenge and inspiration: “There are many highly skilled artists working in a wide variety of styles here, and that constantly pushes me to refine my approach.” Cici strives to bring elements of Chinese culture into the local scene and raise awareness of their value among clients.
Her upcoming plans include traveling across the United States, guest spots, and participation in new conventions and competitions. Meanwhile, her booking schedule in Los Angeles has reopened: demand is high, but some spaces are still available.
“What inspires me most is the possibility of bringing together concept art, painting, and tattooing. For me, tattooing is not an isolated practice but part of a larger journey where each art form enriches the others.”
Looking ahead, Cici Zhu envisions continuing to expand her cross-disciplinary practice by integrating traditional Chinese ink painting with digital media and tattoo art, creating works that connect cultural traditions with contemporary expression. She also intends to explore abstract visual languages inspired by dreams and subconscious experiences – works that convey emotions beyond words. Her ultimate goal is to establish herself as an artist whose creations embody personal authenticity while inspiring others through cultural dialogue and emotional resonance.
