The vision behind Decaydead: Reflecting humanity’s Dark side

5.9 min read1184 words

by Argus Dorian

ART DIRECTOR | PRODUCTION MANAGER | WEB DESIGNER | ILLUSTRATOR | ARTIST | WRITER

"With 20 years of expertise, he is an accomplished Art Creative Director, Web Designer, and Marketing & Social Media Manager known for driving business growth through innovative digital and print solutions. Skilled in managing end-to-end project lifecycles and enhancing client engagement, he brings a strategic, problem-solving approach and a commitment to building long-term client and team relationships. As a freelance Dark Cyberpunk Artist and Illustrator, he also brings extensive experience across industries, specializing in advertising, cover art, web design, branding, and digital illustration."

Welcome to Decaydead, a space where art meets the harsh truths of reality. My art delves into the darkness that resides within each of us – the dark side of humanity that many ignore, suppress, or fail to transform. Through my creations, I aim to unmask this darkness and bring it to light, to challenge perceptions, and to question why the world is the way it is.

I firmly believe that every person has a dark side. This isn’t merely an observation – it’s a truth rooted in our nature. Call it primal instinct, suppressed trauma, or unbridled emotion; it’s there, lurking beneath the surface. What makes us different is how we deal with this darkness. Some channel it into creativity, into helping others, or into building something meaningful. But others allow it to consume them, becoming violent, destructive, and harmful to those around them.

When we fail to address this side of ourselves, we see its consequences ripple through society. Murders, rapes, wars, pollution, destruction – these are manifestations of unbridled darkness. They are the outcomes of individuals and communities who choose domination over cooperation, hatred over love, and destruction over creation.

My art serves as a mirror to this darkness. On Decaydead, you’ll encounter vivid and haunting imagery of monsters, Hunters, Assassins, and a figure I call the Director. Each of these characters embodies different aspects of humanity’s dark side and the choices we make.

Hunters

Hunters represent the relentless pursuit of power and dominance, a primal drive rooted in violence and a hunger for control. They embody the darkest side of masculinity – the raw, unrestrained aggression that seeks to conquer, dominate, and inflict pain for personal pleasure or gain. Hunters are fueled by a thirst for death and destruction, thriving on the chaos they create.

This archetype highlights humanity’s obsession with domination, whether through war, oppression, or the exploitation of others. It is the side of men that has historically sought to assert power over everything – people, animals, and even the planet itself. In their pursuit of supremacy, Hunters disregard empathy, compassion, and the sanctity of life, leaving only devastation in their wake.

Examples in reality:

  • Warlords and military leaders who instigate conflicts for personal gain.
  • Corporations that exploit natural resources and labor without regard for the harm they cause.
  • Abusers who derive pleasure from the suffering of others.

Assassins

Elina The Hybrid Assassin - Her Death - by Argus Dorian

Assassins are predominantly women who have been deeply scarred by the violence inflicted upon them by men. They are survivors of rape, abuse, and oppression – individuals who have endured unimaginable pain and transformed it into a weapon. Their relentless quest for revenge is not born of pure malice but of a deep, compressed anguish that has consumed them.

In my art, Assassins rise to become the dominant species on Earth. This reflects a belief that women, often underestimated and oppressed, possess a strength far greater than men’s physical might. Women’s resilience, intelligence, and capacity for growth make them inherently more powerful. Historically, however, men have used brute strength to suppress this power, creating a cycle of pain and retaliation. (Read Elina’s story, start here )

Examples in reality:

  • Women who speak out and fight back against systems of abuse and discrimination.
  • Movements like #MeToo, where survivors unite to hold predators accountable.
  • Individuals who channel their trauma into activism, art, or leadership, reclaiming their power.

The Assassins symbolize the reckoning of this suppressed strength and a warning of what can happen when society refuses to address the root causes of violence and inequality.

The Director

Phase 01 - Experiment Combine the DNA

The Director is the orchestrator of chaos and control, a representation of the Elite and the Systems they build to perpetuate their power. She is not just an individual but a symbol of the ideologies, institutions, and shadowy networks that manipulate humanity on a global scale.

The Director thrives on deception, ensuring that people remain divided, distracted, and subservient. She represents the ruling class – those who benefit from war, inequality, and environmental destruction while hiding their true motives behind facades of progress and benevolence. Through propaganda, economic systems, and political corruption, The Director ensures that the world operates according to her agenda, no matter the cost.

Examples in Reality:

  • The influence of multinational corporations on politics and policy.
  • Governments that prioritize the interests of the wealthy over the welfare of their citizens.
  • Media manipulation that spreads disinformation to control public perception.

The Director is the ultimate symbol of systemic evil, reminding us that the forces shaping our world are often hidden in plain sight.

These creations are not mere figments of imagination.

They are born from reality – from observing the world around me and witnessing the hidden evil behind beautiful façades. Politicians, community leaders, even those celebrated as heroes, often hide malevolence beneath a veneer of respectability.

Take a moment to consider the state of the world today. Wars rage on, fueled by greed and the thirst for control. Entire populations face hunger and poverty because resources are hoarded by the few. Pollution continues to devastate our planet, driven by industries prioritizing profit over sustainability. These are not abstract issues; they are the results of human choices – choices driven by our dark side.

Think about your own surroundings. Have you encountered individuals who exploit others for personal gain? Perhaps a colleague who undermines their peers to climb the corporate ladder, or a neighbor who spreads hate and division. These are everyday manifestations of the same darkness I explore in my art.

Why do we accept this?

This is a question I often ask myself.

Why do we accept this evil?

Why do we turn a blind eye to the suffering, the destruction, and the pain?

Why do we choose hate over love, division over unity?

Is it easier to ignore our dark side than to confront it?

Perhaps. But in doing so, we allow it to grow, to infect our societies and our world.

Through my art, I hope to inspire reflection and change. The monsters I create are not just depictions of doom; they are warnings. They show us the path we’re on if we continue to accept our dark side instead of transforming it.

I invite you to explore my works at Decaydead. Dive into the stories behind the Hunters, the Assassins, and the Director (click here). See the parallels between their world and ours. Reflect on the darkness you see around you and within yourself.

And most importantly, share your stories with me.

What examples of hidden evil have you witnessed in your own life or community?

How have you seen the dark side manifest in those around you?

By sharing, we can confront this darkness together and find ways to transform it into something brighter.

Let’s open our eyes to the reality around us. Let’s stop hiding from the truth. The world may be dark, but we hold the power to change it – if we’re willing to face the darkness within.

Wake up! Before it’s too late…
Argus Dorian

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If you had a chance to leave your cell, would you use every single cell you got to grab it?

I know, I would. As a matter of fact, I did. I had to. You see, ‘normal’ can be something totally different for you than what it is to me. And that’s okay. No judgment. Neither you or I can be sure which one is right.. and why should we?

I only care if you’re happy.. Are you happy?

Does it get too much sometimes? I know it does. The pressure consumes you, anxiety is a serious enemy. Your overthinking must be killing you. Unless you’re not an overthinker and you’re just practical… right? Where does your practice keep getting you? Do you get the results you’re craving? I hope you do.

Are you comfortable enough in your skin? In your clothes? In your family? Does your house feel like home?

Don’t answer to me. I don’t need to hear it. You do. They say, be careful of what you’re thinking because it is that one step before action. What are you thinking.. I wonder. No worries.

I will keep this secret of yours if you keep mine… come closer…

I know, I would. As a matter of fact, I did. I had to. You see, ‘normal’ can be something totally different for you than what it is to me. And that’s okay. No judgment. Neither you or I can be sure which one is right.. and why should we?

I only care if you’re happy.. Are you happy? Does it get too much sometimes? I know it does. The pressure consumes you, anxiety is a serious enemy. Your overthinking must be killing you. Unless you’re not an overthinker and you’re just practical… right? Where does your practice keep getting you? Do you get the results you’re craving? I hope you do.

Are you comfortable enough in your skin? In your clothes? In your family? Does your house feel like home? Don’t answer to me. I don’t need to hear it. You do. They say, be careful of what you’re thinking because it is that one step before action. What are you thinking.. I wonder. No worries.

I will keep this secret of yours if you keep mine… come closer…