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about (jo)hanna



Here goes:

Jo Malicdem is a writer, artist, and community builder born and raised in “Pasadena, California,” unceded land that once belonged to the Hahamogna Tribe.

Malicdem continually finds themself recounting memories in their work as an effort to come to terms with their being and to continue their growth as a human. They are driven by the desire to further understand their own identity through art [writing, photography, design, illustration, and music]. They are also just undeniably, endlessly afraid of forgetting the many precious and tumultuous moments in their life.

In their written works, Jo aims to target areas of injustice to humans, sharing their research and actionable methods to combat lack of education and access. Their writing also captures the unique personal journeys storytellers of color embark on to arrive at a place where they can share their work with the world. Tonally, Malicdem loves to amplify the palpable coolness and whimsy of their favorite makers’ works.

Being “chronically online” ever since they can remember, Malicdem is well-acquainted with the power of the internet as a means for sharing art and stories – they founded their first website, “The Music Highway,” at the age of eleven. They have since found purpose in building and managing platforms for storytellers to share their work and experiment with artistic mediums such as The PieFace Column (2017-2020), Lunchbox Magazine (2021-current*), and Ur Going 2 Make Something Gr8, or UG2MSG (2023-current). And well, this website.

Malicdem seeks to capture images of beloved humans in their own environments, hoping to have record of one of the most beautiful things (in their opinion): seeing people exist with ease. They also have great fun designing logos, magazine spreads, and flyers – toying with self-made typefaces and questionable color combinations is one of their favorite pasttimes.

Learn more about Jo’s music here.

Jo spends oodles of time making lentil soup, correcting their posture, and figuring out how to burn candle wax evenly. They are currently based in “Brooklyn, New York” on Lenapehoking land.

*Lunchbox Magazine is currently still active. However, Malicdem is no longer assuming the role of Co-Director.




photo by Rose Daniels





tldr:


Jo Malicdem is a multi-disciplinary artist and community builder born and raised in “Pasadena, California,” land that once belonged to the Hahamogna Tribe.

Malicdem often finds themself recounting memories in their work as an effort to come to terms with their being and to continue their growth as a human. They are a published writer, an award-winning community builder, avid doodler, nitpicky digital designer, and independent musician/songwriter.

After having dedicated their time in school to focus on researching areas of human injustice and sharing their findings to combat lack of education and access, Malicdem continues to seek new opportunities and innovative methods of engaging in community care through art.


They are currently based in “Brooklyn, New York” on Lenapehoking land. Malicdem is also available for writing, photo, illustration, and design commissions.