Hello!

I’m Charis, and I tell stories through images.

Based in Malaysia, I illustrate books, maps, and more. Thoughtful worldbuilding, Southeast Asian visual languages, and LGBTQIA+ characters: these are elements I value in projects, being ace myself.

At Arts-ED Penang, I designed arts and heritage education projects for youth, from ergonomics and waste management explorations at a wet market to a tabletop game about urban architecture and walking.

Formerly New Naratif Comics Editor and Illustrations Editor, I worked with more than 85 artists to tell visual stories supporting the movement for democracy and freedom of information. Along with Budjette Tan, I recently co-edited SOUND: A Comics Anthology, featuring 13 stories by Southeast Asian creators.

I graduated from Brown with a ScB in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a transcript nearly half-filled with art and humanities courses. Since then I’ve journeyed through classroom teaching, place-based learning, and visual storytelling. Along the way I’ve been fortunate to work with artists, teachers, activists, and researchers. I recently completed an MA in Visual Sociology at Goldsmiths with an interest in drawing and mapping as arts research.