Lydia Cheng is a Chicago based artist and architect best known for vibrant and energetic cityscape paintings.

Originally from Shanghai, Cheng earned her dual degree in Fine Arts and Architecture from Rhode Island School of Design. After 13 years of architecture career, she decided to pursue her passion for fine arts full time. Materials she uses include acrylic on canvas, and pen and ink.

The energy and movement of an urban space is one of Cheng’s core themes. She uses vibrant colors inspired by jazz and blues music to tell the story of a city’s structure, rhythm, and flow.

Cheng’s work had been exhibited in multiple galleries around Chicago, including the Chicago Architectural Biennial.

Currently, Cheng is working on a series of cityscapes and portraits that captures the energy of a place, and stories of a person.