Xue Li graduated from the Chengdu Academy of Fine Arts. Since entering the lantern industry in 2016, she has worked on major New Year lantern festivals across China, including projects in Xining, Golmud, Chongqing Happy Valley, Jinan Baotu Spring, Nanjing Confucius Temple, Ordos, and Shanghai Yu Garden.

In 2020–2021, she contributed to the design of the “Jurassic Zone” at the 27th Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival. Its centerpiece, Tree of Life, attracted more than 500,000 visitors and was featured on CCTV, becoming one of Zigong lantern culture’s earliest viral landmarks.

From 2023–2025, Xue developed the “Magic Ocean” theme for festivals in Stockton, New York and Dallas and has continued contributing interactive installation designs for major exhibitions across the United States and Europe.

Every lantern I create is meant to start a conversation between the artwork and the audience. When I see children smiling and circling around the lanterns, I know culture can truly transcend language.