Liam Ethan is a Toronto-based aspiring graphic novelist who dabbles in graphic design and concept art, with a focus on combining their illustration skills to bring stories to life. They create worlds of fantasy rooted in deeper sentimental tones, to comfort the viewer and confront realities of life. They are currently pursuing their Bachelor’s degree in illustration at OCADU. Born and raised in Dubai, UAE, their paintings often also involve themes of identity, belonging and memories.
Irreflection
Oil on Canvas Panel, 24 x 18 in, 2026
A made-up word representing the impossible space in which reflections within the same space are juxtaposed. These selves represented in a state of joy (left) and sadness (right), connect in a dizzying scene that feels separate yet connected. The work depicts the complex and multi-faceted sides of a person beyond the expressions and façade that we see.
Sanitized identity
Acrylic on Paper, 18 x 24 in, 2025
This work represents the erasure of identity faced by minority groups and immigrants as they attempt to fit into society. The empty medicine bottle, disinfectant and a blade, symbolize the actions undertaken to remove, cleanse and change into something uniform and socially acceptable.
A lone white flower held in the dark slowly losing its shimmer, is the hidden part of their identity and self-expression. In the mirror, their reflection of their past self, shines brightly when their self-identity is assured, creating a contrast against the present self with the lights dimming out.
Meandering Seasons
Hybrid Digital and traditional inking, 9.45 x 11.49 in individual or 11 x 17 in combined, 2025
An abstracted personal story about moving on from the past, with the change in seasons from summer to winter as representations of emotional state. Dreaming of summer represents an idealized self, guiding their own journey into becoming who they envision themselves to be. Winter is a period of healing and suppression, wherein emotions lie in wait, processed slowly as one seeks to attain the summer self they envisioned.
Unfolding stories
Hybrid Digital and traditional inking, 8 x 11 in each panel, 2025
The story features anecdotal experiences about how my passion for stories and art, set me on a path to becoming an artist. A journey met with rejection and push-back along the way, that made me lose motivation to continue pursuing arts. Nevertheless, the stories and passion inside can never fade away, rekindling the spark and guiding me to create worlds full of life.
The act of unfolding the scroll containing my personal story, represents making peace with my past in a love letter to the art of story making through illustration.
The act of unfolding the scroll containing my personal story, represents making peace with my past in a love letter to the art of story making through illustration.