Vancouver digital artist Ceiiru is a Taiwanese Canadian from South Africa. But her greatest artistic influence was not Taiwanese, Canadian, or South African. Rather, it’s Japanese manga superstar Kazuki Takahashi.
“He is the Number 1 inspiration for me,” Ceiiru tells Pancouver in an interview at Granville Island. “Everything stems from me watching Yu-Gio-Oh! and seeing his work.”
Takahashi’s Yu-Gi-Oh! was published from 1996 to 2004 in the Weekly Shōnen Jump manga anthology. Ceiiru cites Japanese manga artist Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece series as another important influence.
Ceiiru’s Lunar New Year lantern design at 800 Robson Plaza certainly gives off this vibe. To celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Snake, Ceiiru has created Blossoms of the Serpent. It features an ivory-coloured serpent surrounding a young woman.
“For my lantern, I wanted to be able to showcase that it is a new beginning, like being reborn and trying to reconnect to your lineage and culture,” Ceiiru says. “And also, just to be able to break out of a shell.”
It’s part of the We Are Family exhibition, which features nine other large Lunar New Year lanterns at that location. The Lantern City includes other artistic lantern displays at Granville Island, the Bentall Centre, šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square, and Pendulum Gallery.
Ceiiru, also known as Yoher Wang, became interested in art as a child growing up in the South African capital of Pretoria. At first, she was inspired to draw by an older sister. Ceiiru continued refining her drawing and after seeing others’ works in books and magazine, she decided that she wanted to become a professional artist.
“I have a sketchbook with me all the time,” Ceiiru says. “If I see scenery or little objects that remind me of something, I will put it in the sketchbook for later.”
Her dad is from Pingtung County in southern Taiwan and her mom is of Hakka lineage. They moved to South Africa for work and because there was a Taiwanese community there.
Ceiiru feels that living in South Africa made her value nature, which is reflected in her art. She enjoys exploring themes of inner harmony and spirituality, according to her biography on The Lantern City website. She has spent time in Taiwan, speaks Mandarin, and is in the process of reconnecting with her Taiwanese heritage.
With this background, perhaps it’s no surprise Ceiiru enjoys creating art rooted in folklore and mythology from different cultures.
“I would actually like to make books—either children’s books or comics,” Ceiiru says. “For this year, that’s actually my goal.”
We Are Family is at 800 Robson Plaza until February 18 as part of The Lantern City exhibitions. Follow Pancouver on X @PancouverMedia, Bluesky @pancouver.bsky.social, and Instagram @PancouverMedia. Also follow Charlie Smith on Bluesky @charliesmithvcr.bsky.social.
