We are so excited to get stuck into our Toolkits: Graphic Narratives program for 2021, featuring 8 talented young artists from across Australia. During this 12-week intensive, these artists will  join illustrator, designer, animator and artist, Claudia Chinyere Akole, to learn the applications of graphic storytelling and discuss the history and innovations of this unique literary practice.

Claudia will lead the program’s fortnightly online sessions and workshops, providing one-on-one mentorship during the alternating weeks, and support these young writers with individualised feedback.

For more information on our Toolkits and Toolkits: Live program (which you can participate in right now!) visit our website.

But for now, say hello to the Graphic Narratives class of 2021!

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Madi Marston

Hi there! My name is Madi, I am a Meanjin/Brisbane based illustrator and comics artist! I love to read, hike and doodle in my spare time.

Michail Mathioudakis

Michail is a writer, filmmaker and artist who applies a queer lens to his storytelling while drawing from his experiences as a person of Greek/Vietnamese heritage. He has recently graduated from the Australian, Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) with a Bachelor of Arts: Screen and Graduate Certificate: Screenwriting.

Throughout his time at AFTRS, Michail has worked with Queer Screen, Nickelodeon and Endemol Shine. He’s also worked across a multitude of films, including directing his own experimental and documentary shorts, Venus (2015) and Velvet (2016).

In 2019, Michail participated in the NSW Talent Camp where he developed his web-series Witch Hunties. Michail is currently working at Discovery Networks ANZ, while writing his Australian-Vietnamese horror feature, Ma.

Fern Cook

My name is Fern. I am an artist & writer, mover & shaker, moment capturer & friend living on Wurundjeri country. I am 21 years old and on a never-ending journey of trying to make things that in some small way matter. I’m at the tail-end of a Screen and Cultural studies degree at the University of Melbourne and live my beautiful life between my friendly Carlton sharehouse and my family home in the Northern Rivers of NSW.

Marleena Oudomvilay

Marleena Oudomvilay is an artist, illustrator and writer. She is a sucker for romance in fantasy settings.

Rosie Moana Pickett

Rosie Moana Pickett (she/they/them/her) is a Māori creative who was born in Ahuriri (Napier), but raised on whadjuk noongar boodjar in Boorloo (Perth). Growing up in Boorloo (Perth) Rosie was negatively impacted by depictions of Māori people. Rosie uses concept art, visual art, poetry, and performance as a way to represent different perspectives, narratives, and experiences on being Māori. Rosie’s creative work is published on Awa Wahines online Rangataki (Zine), Enby Life, Interjournal and Tapas. You can find her creative musings on her instagram @drawingbymoonlight.

Jessie Crossman

Jessie Crossman is an illustrator and designer from Melbourne. She enjoys historical research, flashy earrings, and dragon dancing. If she cannot own a bookstore she aims to publish an equivalent amount.

Ashleigh Djokic

Ashleigh Djokic is a Meanjin based artist who loves exploring the unconscious mind through drawing and animation. Their work finds tenderness in existential thinking with a naive hand-drawn style. They are currently developing a graphic novel/picture book called Nina, which follows a child’s journey through time and dimension to find meaning in their world’s ecological collapse.

Their most recents works include directing their grad film The Fish, an environmental vignette into the lives of a mother and child visiting the sea (2020, Griffith Film School), and animating for Absolute Objectivity: The Musical (Backbone Youth Arts 2020).

Ash is currently completing their honours project at Griffith University, which is exploring how postmodern performance practices can impact the creative process for storyboarding and animation.

Selina Moir-Wilson

Selina is a writer and comics artist living on unceded Wurundjeri Country. They’re interested in experimental comics, utopias, anti-capitalism, magical girl anime and gardening. Selina has tabled zines at Sticky Institute’s Festival of the Photocopier, published poetry in Farrago and has a comic forthcoming in Voiceworks. They’re also studying a BA in Creative Writing at the University of Melbourne.