Artwork by Yasi Shaker

From pomegranate seeds to pushing boundaries, the influences in my life have planted the seeds of resistance in me. I currently live in the unceded Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute tribes’ homeland so-called Salt Lake City. I am a Sociology Ph.D. student at the University of Utah where I study environmental and food justice. My research interests lie in understanding ways that communities practice food sovereignty and self-determination. I have a background in organic farming, community organizing, food justice strategizing, and facilitating spaces for healing and reclaiming our pleasure and erotic self through dance. I am always in awe of plants’ wisdom and I love learning about the healing properties of plants and making herbal medicine with friends. I am a core team member at the Mobile Moon Coop, a queer and femme-centered herbalist cooperative. My role includes membership management, assisting with the production of Moonboxes, and organizing events. As an artist, I create art motivated by sociological concepts, including accessibility, race, gender, the environment, and food access. I am a creator of "Garden Comrades: A queer community garden oracle deck and guidebook." I am a mixed-media artist, primarily using watercolor, digital art, and sewing.