Anshika Khullar
AORISTS is the creative pseudonym of Anshika Khullar, an Indian non-binary transgender illustrator based in Southampton, England. Entirely self-taught, Anshika has carved out a distinct space in the illustration world with their bold, vibrant, and metaphor-rich work—centred on characters, identity, and unapologetic storytelling.
Anshika’s practice is deeply rooted in lived experience. Their work explores queerness, body neutrality, immigrant identity, mental illness, trauma, and the layered complexity of belonging to the South Asian diaspora. Rather than shy away from the personal, AORISTS leans into it—transforming moments of vulnerability into powerful, poetic visuals that connect across borders and backgrounds. Their illustrations are richly detailed and emotionally resonant, often layered with visual metaphors and hidden symbols—inviting viewers to look again and look deeper.
Informed by a focused study of intersectional feminist narratives, their art refuses to simplify. It speaks in colour, shape, and subtext—often using visual "easter eggs" to weave meaning throughout each piece. These aren’t just illustrations—they’re visual essays. AORISTS constructs a world where lived realities, particularly those at the intersections of gender, race, and migration, are not only visible but honoured.
Anshika’s commitment to visibility and representation has earned them critical acclaim in the literary and illustration worlds. They are the recipient of an ALA Stonewall Book Award, a Renaissance Accelerated Reader Award, and were longlisted for the prestigious CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal for their work on The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta—a coming-of-age YA novel that celebrates queer Black British identity. Their cover design and interior illustrations played a key role in elevating the book’s impact and accessibility, becoming a visual touchstone for LGBTQ+ youth literature.
In 2022, Anshika released Color Me Queer, a colouring and activity book published by Potter Gift. Timed for Pride season, the book offered a vibrant, inclusive space for self-expression and celebration within the LGBTQ+ community. As with all of AORISTS’ work, it blended advocacy with artistry, creating a platform for joy and solidarity.
Beyond books and editorial commissions, AORISTS has built a multidisciplinary presence. They have spoken on panels at London Illustration Fair and House of Illustration, created digital content for Tate as part of their Uniqlo Tate Lates: Night In programme, and contributed artwork to a group exhibition hosted by Parliament Tattoo x Courtney Love/Hole. Each project reflects their core belief in the power of visual art as a force for cultural change, community building, and radical empathy.
Working across editorial, publishing, branding, and digital spaces, AORISTS is available for commissions that align with their values—particularly those rooted in storytelling, social justice, and identity. Anshika's practice is not simply about representation; it's about transformation. Through colour, narrative, and fierce authenticity, AORISTS offers a new way of seeing—one that embraces complexity, champions marginalised voices, and turns the personal into the powerful.
Creative Debuts commissioned Anshika as part of The Collective with Most Wanted Wines
