Hellxia

Hellxia is the art name of Cat Xia (they/them), a Sacramento artist who makes "sad, angry, and cute art." Working in digital and traditional painting and drawing, they create illustrated narratives about climate change, racism, sexism, religion, spirituality and class, drawing on their experience as Canadian Chinese American. The name, pronounced "Hell Shaw," dates back to college.

Their projects range from the Tulip painting series, about loss, survival and grace, to Explorasian, the Try to Smile series on desire and consent, clown pieces, comics, zines, patterns, film and garage-door murals. Their work sells in person at Atrium 916 in Old Sacramento and online as prints and shirts.