Joaquin Gonzales is Meanjin based artist whose practice focuses predominantly on self identity in relation to his personal experience as a lapsed Catholic. Responding to his upbringing in a traditional Filipino home, his practice is heavily informed by Roman Catholic ideology. Aiming to incite dialogue in regards to the somewhat unquestioned absurdity of organised religion and the existence of an omnipotent deity, his work addresses his ever-changing relationship with Catholicism through sculpture and installation.

Often recontextualising everyday objects through the integration of Catholic iconography and symbolism, Joaquin emphasises an almost comedic link between religious tradition and modern living.

In 2019, Joaquin completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts) with a Fashion Communications minor at Queensland University of Technology. Since graduating, Joaquin has co-founded Meanjin based Artist Run Initiative Nextdoor.

Follow Joaquin at joaquingonzales.com

Ella Callander is a Meanjin based artist who creates diagrammatic representations of intangible thoughts, memories, and feelings in relation to Australian suburbia and the everyday. She seeks to represent overlooked or underappreciated, yet widely experienced aspects of the ordinary and the mundane. Encouraging the analysis and categorisation of passing thought, her artworks offer the viewer an opportunity for cognitive translation and moments of contemplation.

Ella completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art) with Distinction at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in 2019. During her degree Ella interned at House Conspiracy, eventually becoming a board member before leaving to co-found her own not-for-profit initiative, Nextdoor ARI.

Follow her work at ellacallander.com