Trunk Di Chaabi

SCOPE

Writing
Visual Storytelling
Illustration

My contribution to Bystander for the Web by Kadak Collective. This visual story tells the real life tale of my grandfather's struggle with Dementia.

You can read the story on Bystander Website.
Thanks to Mira Malhotra and Akhila Krishnan for helping me editing and art direction.

ABOUT THE ANTHOLOGY

The Bystander anthology, led by the Kadak Collective, is a compilation of comic and graphic narratives designed for both print and web. It delves into the realms of geography and gender, identity and self, boundaries and exclusion, all through the perspective of the bystander. Each of the artists in this anthology has contributed a varied set of rumination on the theme, highlighting different emotions and insights. I am honoured to have been chosen as an artist to contribute artwork to the web anthology specifically centred around the theme of 'Borders'.

THE STORY

I chose to tell the real-life tale of my grandfather, a man suffering from the rigours of old age. As his dementia advanced to its pinnacle, his most cherished memories gradually faded away, leaving behind only a single enduring recollection. To a puzzled bystander, he is an old man with an odd habit. Through this story, I tried to unlock the mystery of my grandfather's fixation, exploring trauma, childhood, and experiences that shape us, through animated GIFS and grunge typewriter art, hinting at a not-so-pleasant past.

APPROACH & ARTWORK

I explored various styles of visuals based on the feelings I believed my grandfather was going through. s dementia often entails the loss of words, recognition, and memories, the typewriter art style resonated with the essence of this theme. Moreover, it provided an opportunity to incorporate Shahmukhi, a Perso-Arabic alphabet script my grandfather used to use in his pre-dementia years. This particular style evoked a disconcerting yet heartfelt ambiance, precisely capturing the atmosphere I sought to convey in the story.

SNIPPETS FROM THE STORY

Trunk_1
Trunk_2
Trunk_3
Trunk_Website
Trunk_4

You can read the story on Bystander for Web.

See More Projects

Naario - Women-led women-run conscious food brandNaming, Visual Identity Design, Packaging Design

Nucleus - Empowering lives with legal adviceVisual Identity Redesign, Web Design and Development

She - Envisioning a sustainable humane earthVisual Identity Design, Brand Merchandise

Designed this way - Candid Creative ConversationsNaming, Visual Identity Design, Brand Language

Numberz - Cashflow SimplifiedLogo Design, Brand Positioning

Ungender - Undoing the gender divide at workplacesVisual Identity Redesign, Brand Merchandise

1984 - De ArbeiderspersBook Cover Design, Illustration

CPO - Brand that ‘makes you move’Visual Identity Redesign, Environmental Graphics

Form To Finish - Building homes from Form to FinishVisual Identity Design Brand Language and Merchandise

Community Gardens - Growing with communityVisual Identity Design, Brand Merchandise

Khaitan & Khaitan - Solicitors & AdvocatesVisual Identity Design, Print Collateral Design

Sunshine - It's warm in hereVisual Identity Redesign, Brand Positioning

Arora - Whimsical Identity for a small egg storeVisual Identity Design, Storefront Graphics

© Kawal Oberoi
Want to work with me on your next project?
Get in touch with me via email at [email protected]
Want to work with me on your next project?
Get in touch with me via email at [email protected]
Want to work with me on your next project?
Get in touch with me via email at [email protected]
View