In a thought-provoking series of artworks, London-based illustrator Scarlett Yang examines the multifaceted roles of women in contemporary society, particularly focusing on Chinese women’s experiences. Central to this exploration is her award-winning illustration, The New Goddess, which serves as the foundation of a tarot-like card set dubbed Goddess’s Revelation. This set delves into seven crucial dimensions of womanhood—wisdom, beauty, love, career, family, fertility, and sexuality.
Yang articulates her vision by stating, “I wanted to look at how Chinese women are encouraged, sometimes pressured, to keep improving themselves under the banner of perfection, navigating the tensions between traditional patriarchy and evolving feminist ideas. This duality became the foundation of the project.”
The aesthetic appeal of Yang’s work resonates with many, especially given that spirituality plays a significant role in the lives of numerous Chinese women. This insight led to the creation of a ‘cyber temple’, culminating in the main illustration of The New Goddess, which reflects women’s desires against societal expectations. Yang notes, however, that this allure can mask deeper issues. “Yet this sense of comfort is ultimately deceptive: it feels beautiful on the surface but leads to a greater emptiness, mirroring the unease of reading between the lines of a tarot card,” she explains.
The Goddess’s Revelation card series mirrors the initial illustration, presenting visually captivating art that conceals thought-provoking, and at times uncomfortable, insights within each piece. The imagery aimed to not only enchant the viewer but also stimulate critical conversations about the realities faced by women.
Fertility
Beauty
The card designs intricately weave Chinese cultural symbols and patterns, reinterpreting traditional idioms that shed light on women’s societal roles, including expectations surrounding childbirth. Yang elaborates, stating, “One of the cards, Sacrifice, reinterprets the image of the Chinese mother through Confucian ideals: deified as a cultural hero yet confined to a subordinate role. The umbrella, shaped like a breast and filled with bitter food transforming into sweet milk, embodies the Confucian paradox: mothers are both venerated and exploited.”
Sexuality
Created primarily through digital painting software Procreate, Yang’s works provoke discussion and resonate with audiences. “I was especially touched by personal feedback from early buyers,” she shares. “One shared how she and her partner used the deck at home as a way to spark deep conversations about their relationship, turning it into a tool for both play and reflection.”
The New Goddess has received accolades, including a Platinum award at Graphis New Talent, and has been featured in 3×3 magazine’s illustration show. Yang plans to make Goddess’s Revelation available for purchase through her online store, in addition to other merchandise. She is also developing a new series, Her Feast, which will further investigate the exploitation of women through their sexuality.
With aspirations to exhibit her works in galleries, Scarlett Yang aims to spark broader reflections on the themes her artwork addresses.
