Ilaria Cortesi is a self-taught illustrator and collagist from Italy, now based in Shanghai. She rediscovered art as a creative outlet while juggling a full-time job and single parenthood, using it as a means of personal and social liberation.

She uses her art as a critical lens to examine stereotypical views and representations of society and individuals. Drawing inspiration from music, society, literature, ukiyo-e, and sci-fi, she turns thoughts and feelings into surreal images.

The results are dreamy sci-fi landscapes and punchy images characterized by vibrant colors and paper-like textures. Her work is sometimes thought-provoking, and at other times, playful and cheesy.