Issue #2 - May 2021

art + media

Edited by David Ng and Kriveena Chand

“Break”

by Esther Alimson

Bio: Esther Alimson has a great admiration for the art of photography. She enjoys using images to express concepts in sectionalism and feminism. Her current project is creating eco-friendly appliques for sustainable fashion.

Artist Statement: It is frightening how one can be excluded from being her own person simply based on the tribe, religion, body weight, skin color, or even the texture of hair that person has.

Break explores concepts of unity in diversity, liberty within restraints, and the importance of society acknowledging that irregardless of ethnicity, orientation, body size, skin pigmentation, age, appearance, religion, or political affiliation, a woman is by right allowed to be her own human being.

“This Is A Protest”

by Rochelle Asquith

Bio: Rochelle Asquith’s art has been published in Tabloid History zine (Vol. 1), Boshemia Magazine, cooltzine, guillozine, and has been exhibited at Left Bank arts centre. A full portfolio of my work can be found at www.rochellemasquith.wordpress.com. Her Instagram handle is @rochelleasquith.

Artist Statement: My artwork comes from the experience of a queer woman, thus a marginalised body, thus the perspective that isn't represented often or at all, in fact. Given that Decomp's mission is overcoming the patriarchal, colonised mindset of the media (well, the world), I think my work would fit in quite nicely.

Yoncé”

by Kellen Trenal

Bio: Kellen Trenal (pronounced like "Chanel") is a visual artist, performer, small business owner, alumnus of the University of Notre Dame, and holistic wellness enthusiast, born and raised in the Pacific Northwest.  As both a member of the Nez Perce Tribe and a man of Black American descent, Kellen embraces his multiple identities to empower his work in all its manifestations. Kellen utilizes a wealth of Indigenous knowledge to explore the intersection of tradition and innovation. He shares his (he)artwork through Trenal Original, a traditional-arts based, QBIPOC-owned, small business. Trenal Original has earned a resume of international clients, along with features in art spaces across the US as well as online and print publications. Kellen’s diverse range in works include hand-crafted accessories, customized jewelry, exhibit art, traditional niimíipuu (Nez Perce) regalia, modern apparel, and much more. Each piece is a custom creation aimed at increasing visibility for underrepresented communities: a Trenal Original. 

Artist Statement: The existence of my artwork presents a current perspective on cultural arts, bringing the practices of past generations into the spotlight of our media-driven and internet-connected world. My work combats the invisibility that many Native American communities suffer at the hands of cultural stifling, appropriation, and many other harmful systemic frameworks that silence the Indigenous voice. Often times, the images and perceptions of Native American culture are rooted in a historic framework, linking our peoples to the past: an ancient representation that does not acknowledge our participation and contributions to current society. My work finds its power in reaching out to Native and non-Native communities alike to promote awareness and create space for increased presence of Black Indigenous people in modern society.