Stick Mob

Stick Mob Studio is a collective of storytellers from Mparntwe-Alice Springs who tell stories that reconfigure reality. We create, publish, and exhibit stories that reimagine different times, places, and identities, challenging deficit narratives of growing up as young Arrernte person in central Australia. Our stories are vital in creating a more tolerant and imaginative society.

As Declan in his graphic novels ‘Mixed Feelings’ reminds us – Alice Springs-Mparntwe is a place of many stories, many emotions. Stick Mob stories are grounded in place and community, with writing and illustrating an extension of our social justice responsibilities.

This matters now more than ever because we need to see and hear from diverse storytellers who create strong First Nations characters that people, young and old, engage with, feel seen by, and energised by.

Declan Miller
Graphic Novelist
Director

Born in Alice Springs, Declan’s father is from Arrernte and Anmatyerre Lands of Central Australia. His mum was born in Scotland.

Declan wrote the first volume in his graphic novel series, ‘Mixed Feelings’ to show the diversity of stories that make up his hometown, Alice Springs – Mparntwe.

Writing graphic novels allows Declan to create different worlds through his imagination and lived experiences. Declan is passionate about inspiring people to tell their stories.

Wendy Cowan
Artist – Mentor
Director

Wendy has called the Northern Territory home for over two decades. Born in Enniscorthy – Inis Corthaidh, Ireland, Wendy left Ireland in her early 20s due to the civil war between Britain and Ireland, colloquially known as the ‘Troubles’.

Returning to Ireland in her late twenties, Wendy established an artist co-operative focused on socio-political arts projects during the lead-up to the Good Friday Peace Agreement. In Central Australia, Wendy works on a wide range of art-cultural-literacy projects, most recently establishing the storytelling collective, Stick Mob Studio with Declan Miller.

Seraphina Newberry
Graphic Novelist

An Arrernte woman, Seraphina grew up in a family of Pitjantjatjara artists and has lived in Mparntwe -Alice Springs all of her life. Painting since the age of five, her love of reading comics inspired her to create graphic novels in high school as an additional form of creative expression that she finds curiously relaxing.

Alyssa Mason
Graphic Novelist

Born in Mparntwe–Alice Springs, Alyssa’s family is from the Pitjantjatjara Lands in Central Australia. With a passion for drawing from a young age, her love of anime and Shōnen Manga influence her approach to visual storytelling.