Norway

Nour Hifaoui is a Palestinian-Lebanese comic artist and illustrator currently based in Paris. Her artistic work focuses on themes of the body, intimacy, and social injustice, which she addresses through documentation and autofiction. In 2022, she published her first zine, "Titties", with Samandal, exploring desire and sexual life from a feminist perspective influenced by social and political events. The comic was translated into Italian and published by D Editore and Fortepressa. She is currently working on the second volume, titled "Titties Too."

Since 2018, Nour has been a member of the Lebanese comics collective Samandal Comics, where she contributes as an author and editor. She was part of the editorial team for the collective’s anthology “Cutes,” which features trans and queer stories. Nour has showcased her work in several local and international exhibitions, such as “In-Transit,” “It’s Preferable Not to Travel with a Dead Man,” and “Ça va être long.” Additionally, she has participated in numerous regional and international festivals, including the “Festival International de la Bande Dessinée d’Angoulême,” “Central Vapeur,” “Crash,” and the “Festival International de la Bande Dessinée d'Alger.”

Zarina Saidova is an illustrator with a love for storytelling, bright colors, and charming characters! Her own story spans from Kazakhstan to North Norway, before settling in Oslo. She has completed her master´s at the Art Academy, where she received funding for the best project of the year. Zarina`s inspiration comes from mythology, folklore, and surrealism. She likes to switch between digital and analog techniques, depending on the theme and project.

Træsh Forlag is a small underground publisher based between Trondheim, Oslo and Almaty, Kazakhstan. It was established by Ingrid Dyrseth and Zarina Saidova to create a space for new and established comic artists, working with abstraction and exploring storytelling and the comic format.

Cecilie is part of art and design duo Gilles & Cecilie Studio. She graduated from Central Saint Martins School of Art with a BA in Graphic Design and is a member of Grafill, The Association of Illustrators (UK), Tegnerforbundet and Norske Billedkunstnere. She is also an avid bookbinder and printmaker after falling in love with craft during her college years. and later working at fine art bindery Wyvern in London and teaching printmaking as a visiting lecturer.