Catriona Wai-Yin O’Neil - Chinese Art and Culture in Scotland

Cat O’Neil is an award-winning freelance illustrator based in Edinburgh. She has gained recognition for her outstanding artistic talent and collaborated with prestigious clients, including New York Times, LA Times, Variety Magazine, WIRED, Financial Times, Guardian Observer, New Statesman, The Economist, the Wellcome Collection, Scientific American, and The Washington Post.

Having graduated with First-Class Honours in Illustration from Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), Cat brings a wealth of expertise to her craft. She has also shared her knowledge and skills by teaching life drawing and illustration at renowned institutions such as ECA, Edinburgh Contemporary Crafts, and Edinburgh University Art Society. Notably, Cat has been Artist in Residence at ECA in 2013 and Lingnan University in Hong Kong in 2014, further enriching her artistic journey.

During her time at ECA, Cat developed a deep fascination for ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock print) technique and Surrealism. She also immersed herself in exploring contemporary illustration, seeking inspirations from a wide range of sources. Following her graduation, Cat embarked on a journey to trace the roots of illustration, studying the works of esteemed artists such as Honore Daumier, Gustave Doré, Norman Rockwell, and E. H. Shepard.

As Cat’s expertise grew, she began to distil her personal artistic preferences. She was particularly drawn to concept-driven works that exhibited a remarkable level of cleverness, leaving her in awe and exclaiming, ‘Wow! That’s absolutely brilliant’.

Although some individuals wrongly assume that Cat’s work is exclusively influenced by ukiyo-e or Chinese art, she believes that Western audiences may overlook the Western artistic influences embedded in her creations. This oversight might stem from the familiarity and prominence of Western art within their cultural context. Cat perceives her work as an authentic expression of her multifaceted identity, reflecting a fusion of diverse influences. Just as she herself is a mixture of various elements, her artwork encapsulates a rich tapestry of cultural inspirations.

Traveltech for Scotland launched their innovative project called “Visualise the Future”, entrusting Cat with the task of creating a captivating visualisation depicting the future of tech-enabled tourism in the upcoming two decades.

Cat’s project began with an initial sketch and evolved into an intricate 3D masterpiece. The resulting image not only exudes aesthetic beauty but also encapsulates two critical challenges that must be overcome in the realm of tourist-facing (B2C) travel technology over the next 20 years.

Firstly, the artwork explores the harmonious integration of technology with the visited destinations. How can technology seamlessly enhance the visitor experience without detracting from the authenticity of the place? Moreover, in an era of lockdowns and restricted movement, where our experiences are increasingly mediated through digital interfaces, the artwork raises the question of how technology can create digital representations of Scotland that offer an immersive and realistic substitute for the actual experience.

The artwork, with Scotland as its focal point, masterfully captures the captivating landscapes, scenic beauty, and the alluring sense of remoteness that define the country’s unique charm. With overlapping hills and trees adorned in vibrant autumnal hues, the image conveys a deep connection to nature. Nestled in the corner, a picturesque bothy evokes Scotland’s rustic allure. Eager young explorers bound through a technological gateway, guided by flagged “points of interest”, ready to embark on an adventure and discover the wonders of Scotland.

Selected bibliography

O’Neil, Cat. “Work.” CAT O’NEIL // Illustration, 2023. https://www.catoneil.com/work.

The MOO Team. “The Art of Metaphor: How Cat O’Neil Broke into Editorial.” MOO Blog, 16 January 2019. https://www.moo.com/blog/interviews/cat-oneil-illustrator-the-art-of-visual-metaphor.

Jason. “V&A Illustration Awards: Interview with Cat O’Neil (Editorial Winner 2018 and Student Judge 2019) • V&a Blog.” V&A Blog, 20 March 2019. https://www.vam.ac.uk/blog/museum-life/va-illustration-awards-interview-with-cat-oneil-editorial-winner-2018-and-student-judge-2019.

van der Poel, Anne. “Visualise the Future — Cat O’Neil’s Vision.” Traveltech for Scotland, 13 April 2021. https://medium.com/traveltech-for-scotland/visualise-the-future-cat-oneil-s-vision-92f22926b302.