Melek Zertal is a French Algerian illustrator and comic artist, based between Paris and California. She likes to create contemplative, slow reading narratives, all put together by a thorough work of image curation and by washed out pastel colors. She tries to find a way to convey atmospheres that words cannot express, fleeting moments, and unrequited loves. An unforeseen warming sunshine in the midst of winter, last words of a loved one, four hands forging a cherry pie simultaneously. Stories have no beginning, no end , we’re just thrown in the middle of a story that sounds vaguely familiar.
However, through the dreamy haze-like and heartfelt narratives, societal dynamics always find a way to catch up to her characters. Annotation: Fragile / Together / next,please are part of a trilogy published by Colorama since 2018, with the last part of the trilogy coming out in 2026. In this series, we follow a couple trying to navigate their long distance relationship, reminiscing small tender moments, fighting through inexorable limerence… and sailing through the depths of a broken heart while shelling peas by a pool.
Melek Zertal
