Well-loved DeviantArt and social media artist Qing Han, known to fans as Qinni, has died. She was 29.
DeviantArt, a platform on which Qinni maintained a massive following (and which honored Qinni in 2017), confirmed Qing Han’s death in a tweet:
Today, the world has lost a wonderful artist, and a wonderful person. Thank you for inspiring us with your art, Qinni. We hope you rest in peace. https://t.co/2FXWVksUEb
— DeviantArt (@DeviantArt) February 10, 2020
Qinni’s fans responded, some using one of her popular illustrations which was also a meme template in its own right:
— Marco (@Wridgeu) February 10, 2020
Art site Urban-Muse.com also marked Qinni’s death with a post; Qinni had been a featured artist on that site in 2017. In a status update (“feeling heartbroken”), Urban-Muse wrote:
It’s with a heavy heart we need to let you know our friend Qinni passed away Saturday. She was battling Cancer with Chemo and also had a serious heart condition.
Qing is more than an artist to me. She was one of my very best friends. We talked daily. Qing was one of greatest artists on earth. She had over 2M followers on IG, putting her in rare company.
About a year ago as Qing’s health was deteriorating Qing and I had a heart to heart. I told her how much she means to me and I told her I loved her. Maybe you felt the same? She touched so many lives with her short time on earth. She leaves a gaping hole in the art community that we will never be able to fill.
Rest in Peace my friend, until we meet again.
Five days before her passing, Qinni shared a health update to her verified Instagram account:
On December 30 2019, Qinni shared an update about being diagnosed with stage four cancer:
She wrote in part:
So…I have stage 4 Fibrosis Sarcoma cancer…..Doctor says I have about a year, year and a half left, so.. …I’m not really sure what to say tbh. I’ve been cracking jokes on twitter but, well, tbh I’m pretty stressed haha… though, I’m already pretty nihilistic so I really just need to get over my mortality haha…easier said than done tho xD. Uhh….well, I guess I don’t have to worry about recycling anymore, my emission’s about to get cut real short lmao. Still gotta crack jokes or it’s just sad man lol
On January 2 2020, Qinni reiterated her diagnosis in a DeviantArt post, adding that she had other health problems as well, adding that she might have to have less of a presence on the platform:
So…I have stage 4 Fibrosis Sarcoma cancer…..Doctor says I have about a year, year and a half left, so.. …I’m not really sure what to say tbh. I’ve been cracking jokes on twitter but, well, tbh I’m pretty stressed haha… though, I’m already pretty nihilistic so I really just need to get over my mortality haha…easier said than done tho xD. Uhh….well, I guess I don’t have to worry about recycling anymore, my emission’s about to get cut real short lmao. Still gotta crack jokes or it’s just sad man lol
that’s all I have to say right now. I appreciate all the support on twitter and people becoming my patron is just so sweet, thank you guys so much. I apologize my condition might only get worse before it gets better though, I still have a lot of pain problems right now actually…i think that’s the worst part of this though, is the pain. god. I’m so tired.
ps. I don’t JUST have cancer, I ALSO have a severe heart condition and I’m on a LOT of heart medication which I need to live, so please refrain from making medical advice unless you’re an oncologist, cardiologist, or both. Honestly. Please please.
In addition to the post, Qinni uploaded a portrait of a young woman holding a “thank you” card.
Qing Han’s death was also confirmed by friend Courtney Howlett/@Seageart on Twitter:
I'll be away for some time while I sort through my emotions. I love you, qing… I'll miss you. Rest in paradise.
— Seage (@Seageart) February 10, 2020
Howlett sent a thread of memorial tweets before attempting to take a break from social media in the wake of Qinni’s death. However, he returned to ask fans to help remove an Instagram hoax:
I've been forced almost immediately back to deal with a situation. I've been informed that there is an instagram page claiming to have a video of @QinniArt 's passing. This tape DOES NOT EXIST and I'm so beyond pissed off. Please help report https://t.co/TrpkTkpuoh
— Seage (@Seageart) February 10, 2020
This is a completely false narrative, there is no video of this event and this page is hurting her family who are currently trying to mourn. How twisted can some people be?
— Seage (@Seageart) February 10, 2020
Regardless of all of that, this video does not exist. There was no one there filming her last moments. And this creature is just baiting people into following their account for some fake shock value at the expense of my friend.
— Seage (@Seageart) February 11, 2020
Qing Han’s cause of death was not disclosed.
