Andrew Tseng’s strange figurative drawings explore themes of humanity and masculinity

Andrew Tseng is a Chinese-Dutch illustrator and visual artist based in Amsterdam. Since an early age, he has been drawn to the art world, and though his family once hoped he would pursue a “practical and traditional career” (which led him to briefly study psychology), he eventually discovered a particular passion for illustration that was too strong to ignore. As such, he applied for art school and in the years since has built a successful career as a freelance creative. He works both in a commercial capacity, designing posters for events and drawing editorial illustrations, and in a personal capacity, experimenting with ceramics and various printmaking techniques.

However, regardless of the type of work Andrew is doing, his style remains consistent. Drawing inspiration from retro animations and 90s cartoons, including the work of Hanna-Barbera, Tex Avery and Genndy Tartakovsky, his artworks often depict “absurd and theatrical scenes” involving distorted muscular bodies. Rendered in vibrant hues and grainy textures, Andrew says these figurative drawings have become his artistic trademark. “These characters push the boundaries of masculinity and the human form,” he explains. “[They] always wear an eerie, almost flirtatious smile, as if inviting the viewer into their world.” On occasion, these pieces also feature dogs, whose importance lies in their suggestion of larger, more explorative themes in Andrew’s practice. “Dogs often accompany [the humans], symbolising man or an idealised version of humanity,” he says. “These dogs embody strength, loyalty and self-assuredness, but can also experience profound existential despair when confronted with the meaninglessness of life. This dichotomy often manifests through biting and barking.”