AYAM

Ayam is a series of traditional drawings of anthropomorphic chickens, specifically the Indonesian breed called Ayam Cemani. These chickens are completely black— all the way down to even the bone and muscle. This intriguing physiology is the perfect subject for my traditional work, which has been focusing solely on trying to figure out black. “Ayam” is Indonesian for “Chicken”, and “Cemani” is the origin of the breed.

Despite their epic origins, chickens now exist largely as consumable resources for people. I found that fascinating, that I was drawing these pained, sexualized anthropomorphic chickens that fit into that legacy of what a chicken is.

Newer additions to the Ayam series, as well as more in-depth artist statements for each piece, can be found on the ‘ayam’ tag for Black Hair tier backers on Patreon.