a fling

Archive, #26 Revel, #26 Art & Comics / By
Molly Mckew

Molly Mckew is a writer, artist and musician from Melbourne, who in 2019 completed a PhD on the countercultures of the 1960s and 1970s in urban Melbourne. She’s been published in The Conversation, Overland, and Archer. She gigs regularly around Melbourne and will be releasing her debut EP this year.

Page 1 shows a light pink background with black lowercase serif text in the bottom right corner that reads ‘a fling’.
Page 2 shows a black and white illustration of a person with a curly mullet and thick stubble. They are wearing a singlet alongside a necklace, a septum ring and a single earring in the shape of a cross. The person has large hypnotic eyes and dark lips. Text in quotation marks along the bottom of the image reads ‘“Have you ever made out in the women’s plus-size bra section of Kmart?”’
Page 3 features an illustration of a person wearing BONDS undergarments. Their torso and legs are visible, naked except for a BONDS sports bra and BONDS high-cut bikini underwear. The person’s body is textured, with skin, muscles, breasts and hip dips visible. Text in quotation marks along the bottom of the image, crossing over the figure’s legs, reads ‘“I’ll never fall in love with you. You don’t like Garth Merenghi’s Darkplace”’.
Page 4 shows an illustration of a bedroom. The bed is unmade, and shoes, empty wine bottles, coffee cups, pizza boxes and Uber Eats bags are strewn across the floor. A shelf in the background holds a potted plant and a wine glass. Text in quotation marks along the bottom of the image reads ‘“I’m pretty bourgie. You just cant tell when you come around’”.
Page 5 features an illustration of a table holding a gift-wrapped potted plant, a crumpled beer can and an ashtray stuffed full of cigarette butts. The tabletop is stained with ash, spilled beer and a few stray cigarette butts. Text in quotation marks across the bottom of the image reads ‘“I don’t like it when things end”’.
Page 6 features an illustration of a person smiling gently. They have cropped curly hair and thick stubble. They are wearing a t-shirt and a chain around their neck. The person’s eyes are large and dreamlike. Text in quotations along the bottom right of the image reads ‘“Is anyone ever just a boy?”’.
Page 7 features an illustration of a figure lying on the floor in a semi-fetal position hugging some pillows under their head. They are wearing a jacket and jeans. Lying beside them are an empty beer can, an empty liquor bottle and an empty bag of chips. Text in quotation marks along the bottom of the image reads ‘“Life isn’t a Disney film”’.

MORE FROM THIS ISSUE