Jonathan is a Darwin-based indigenous illustrator, 2D animator, and writer, who graduated with a Bachelor of Visual Art with Industries Honours, second class, in 2010. His visual arts contextualise themes of morality, heroism, and identity in a contemporary, urban Australian settings. Jonathon is a member of the Woppaburra people, from the Kanomie clan of Keppel Island in Queensland.
In the past ten years, Jonathan’s art has featured in exhibitions across the Northern Territory, Victoria, Sydney and internationally in Poland and Paris.
He was one of six participants at the British Council Accelerate Program in 2016, which is designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples working in the creative industries.
Since becoming more focused on 2D animation and digital art, he has received funding from Screen Australia to produce his animated series Zero-Point: Season Zero - a TV series featuring an indigenous hero from Darwin known as Zero-Point. The mini-series won the Best Animation award from The Capricornia Film Awards in 2018. In 2019, Zero-Point: Season Zero won the Best Sound Design and Official Selection: Animation on Vegas Movie Awards.
Jonathan’s achievements include:
- 2016: One of six participants at the British Council Accelerate Program in
- 2016: Zero-Point animated pilot selected for further development under Screen Territory’s Illuminator masterclass.
- 2017: Received funding from Screen Australia to produce his animated series “Zero-Point: Season Zero” in 2017.
- 2018: Winner of Capricornia Film Awards ‘Best Animation Award’ - Zero-Point: Season Zero
- 2019: Winner of Vegas Movie Awards for ‘Best Sound Design and Official Selection’ - Zero Point Season Zero
Since graduating from CDU in 2010, Jonathan has worked as a Resource and Development Support Officer with Arnhem, Northern and Kimberley Artists Aboriginal Corporation (ANKA).
ANKA is the peak support and advocacy body for Aboriginal artists and Aboriginal-owned community Art Centres across Northern Australia. Over the past decade, he has diligently supported Indigenous art centres and artists through his leadership and support positions.
Jonathan continues to be an advocate for indigenous arts & culture in the Northern Territory and beyond. His art and professional roles support, inspire and contribute to Indigenous communities in a culturally meaningful way.