Cheshire Cat (2012)

Detail from a larger tattoo design (pencil).

Horses (2012)

Published by Snapping Turtle Press 2012

My role as slave

in your story

leaves me no words

to swallow.

I gave my losses a chance

and stayed on my horse

called Fatigue.

When the earth parched

this wretched heat spell

it bleached my hair

curled my tongue

until I bled your song.

I carry my damage,

inside every blue vein.

I’ve inherited poisons

of the finest flavours

and I don’t mind the shame.

The foam of the river

shapes into horses

that spew salt in frustration

corroding the mountains,

grinding the world into pebbles.

And in this sand

the women wander in circles

smelling the pheromones.

The cracks in the ground

they call me by the same name

that echoes and marks me

a brand for an eternity.

Loyally standing by my mare

called Failure

I’ve not a whisper to drink.

Alien Body (2006)

Acrylic on black paper.

The Metamorphosis

(2011) Published in Pressed by Unseen Feet (ed. R. Drew, A. Gillott), Stairwell Books 2012

For T.F.

She whispers the keywords to

the locked cat ears

accusing, hexing the shallow cackle

that bounces off the September moon.

And perhaps within that curly haired head of hers

all the songs finally begin to make

sense.

Heels that mark the floor varnish

with Braille words that come

from her colourful march.

Rashes the insides of her thighs

when the shattered night closes in

vegetating her to the floorboards

she slowly recalls

how to breathe.

The woman is not:

Complete Damaged Form

reshaped and mutilated.

She can play any role but is

inclined to escape

her plan to self-destruct or destroy,

or simply staying on the floor.

Attempting to voice without sound.

Attempting to purr.

Alien Head, 2006

Acrylic on black paper.

Into the depths of the Fountain: A Study of Visual Layers in Aronofksy and Williams's Vision

My first academic article on comics, published on the Comics Forum blog in July 2012. 

http://comicsforum.org/2012/07/09/into-the-depths-of-the-fountain-a-study-of-visual-layers-in-aronofsky-and-williamss-vision-by-malin-bergstrom/

Comic Book Review: Audarya Lila: The Death of Tuomas Mäkinen. Christoffer & Kaisa Leka, 2008

This is a review I wrote about Kaisa and Christoffer Lekas fantastic book Audarya Lila: The Death of Tuomas Mäkinen in 2008. The review was requested by the authors. For more information on Kaisa visit: http://www.kaisaleka.net/in_english/me__myself_and_i/

The Death of Tuomas Mäkinen is a story about crossroads, told from three different perspectives, with each tale confined to a separate book. Tuomas’s, or Tume’s, decision to join a Californian Hindu monastery is carefully depicted through the eyes of his parents, through the heart of his ex-girlfriend Eija and finally through his own experiences. The first book reflects on his youth, where his sensitivity against western traditions is discovered; he is upset when given too many Christmas presents and becomes somewhat enclosed in his own musical world which leads him to a life within the arts. Indeed, perhaps the first sign of Tume’s spiritual rebirth is through his grandmother, who during a birthday party presents him with books on philosophy and challenges him to think beyond material purposes. After his decision to leave Finland for an arguably uncertain path, his parents are forced to examine their influence on Tume’s life and are confronted with the divided traditions between western religion and eastern philosophy. Equally, Tume struggles with finding a balance between the two when visiting from the monastery.

The story of Eija and Tume is particularly bittersweet. The difficulties of trying to support a long-term partner who is going through a spiritual struggle, while finding the partner drifting further away, is delicately portrayed in K. Leka’s trademarked mouse characters. The book is dark; Eija’s despair is wonderfully familiar as their break-up contains all of the universal elements of bitterness, depression and longing. Yet here as well Tume’s path has widened Eija’s possibilities. Their separation forces Eija to see herself as an independent woman and not merely the girlfriend of a strong personality. She changes and re-emerges fully capable, a metamorphosis rather than an adaptation to a new situation.

Tume’s own point of view is crucial to the flow of the books. In the final book the purpose of his life-altering decision becomes clearer. Throughout the story he is searching for meaning and reason, and the monastery becomes like a calling. It is not necessarily about answers but understanding, and after speaking with the Swami Tume understands that his future lies in simplifying life and changing his goals. He maintains his faith through the insecurities despite little support from his loved ones. At the monastery he is confronted with a new set of challenges, where priorities change and rehabilitation begins.

The separate stories all centre around Tume’s philosophical search, emphasising that it is not something anyone ever goes through alone. K. Leka’s illustrations are simple yet portray the story effectively; the mice allow the characters to remain anonymous and therefore reachable for the individual reader. The three books are hand bound in a traditional Japanese style suitable to the tone of the story; the delicate and disciplined effect of the exterior honours the illustrations. They are contained in a hardcover folder with impeccable imagery. The choice of colour is a grey-blue that is tranquil and yet emphasises the weight of the subject matter; it compliments the simplicity of the layout. This is a beautiful and fragile story told with undertones of humour. The strength of it is in the humanity behind it, moulded into illustrations which give insight into a life-altering struggle in the search for peace.