San francisco: Taiwanese doctor-turned-illustrator Emma Cheng has expressed the “unreal” sensation of witnessing her artwork, depicting DNA being woven on a loom, featured on the cover of The Lancet Rheumatology journal. “Seeing it on the homepage feels so exciting and unreal- in the best way,” Cheng shared on Instagram.
According to Focus Taiwan, Cheng’s artwork for the January 2026 issue portrays two scientists overseeing a loom weaving DNA, representing a metaphor for chronic inflammation advancing into organ scarring. Born in Taiwan and currently based in San Francisco, Cheng is renowned for transforming organs, senses, and emotions into gentle, slightly whimsical characters, such as anthropomorphic eyeballs or a brain relaxing in bed with a book.
Cheng, a former aesthetic physician and Taipei Medical University graduate, pursued design studies and completed a Stanford fellowship before transitioning to illustration. She integrates her medical knowledge into her art, using illustrations not only for decoration but also to clarify how the body functions, thereby humanizing complex research with a playful touch.
In conversation with CNA, Cheng admitted she never envisaged being associated with The Lancet while practicing medicine. “I was never the academia type, so I figured it wasn’t something for me,” she remarked. Her perspective changed upon discovering the journal commissions artists for covers, prompting her to think, “Wow, it would be so cool to collaborate as an illustrator.”
Reflecting on her international illustration endeavors, Cheng observed that in Taiwan, illustration is primarily linked with characters or picture books. However, illustrators abroad have greater opportunities and often collaborate directly with art directors, she noted. She recounted her collaboration with The New York Times, where the art director engaged with her directly, akin to “colleagues talking shop,” facilitating smoother discussions.
Addressing the challenges of her career shift, Cheng candidly discussed the ongoing self-doubt she encounters. “How could you not doubt yourself?” she remarked. However, she emphasized that over time, she realized the journey was less daunting than imagined. “Self-doubt might be a lifelong companion, and learning to coexist with it has become part of the creative process,” she concluded.