Short bio(s)

Small (Approx 60 words)

Jackie is a multi-award-winning Australian artist. She has an abiding interest in culture that connects her work across forms and genres, from writing and research to performance, arts management, film and visual design. Career greatest hits include the graphic novel series 'Burger Force', the comedy writing collective 'Fanciful Fiction Auxiliary', being Artistic Director of Brisbane Writers Festival, Director of the Queensland Literary Awards, and writing a book on World Expo 88.

Medium (Approx 100 words)

Jackie Ryan holds a PhD in history and political science from The University of Queensland. Her book, We’ll Show the World: Expo 88 (UQP 2018), won two Queensland Literary Awards and was shortlisted for The Courier-Mail People’s Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award. Her graphic novel series, Burger Force, has won an Aurealis Award and a Bronze Ledger Award and has been shortlisted for the Russell Prize for Humour Writing. Jackie's visual art is held in public and private collections, and has been a finalist across multiple categories in the Brisbane Portrait Prize. Her writing collective, the Fanciful Fiction Auxiliary (FFA), has staged sold out shows. Jackie has been the recipient of a Queensland Writing Fellowship and a Lord Mayor’s Writers Residency.

Too Much (Approx 200 words)

Jackie is a multi-award-winning Australian artist. She has an abiding interest in culture that connects her work across forms and genres, from writing and research to arts management, film, performance and visual design. She holds a PhD in History and Political Science from The University of Queensland, where she was also an Honorary Research Fellow.

Her book, We’ll Show the World: Expo 88 (UQP 2018), won two Queensland Literary Awards—the Queensland Premier’s Award for a Work of State Significance and the History Book Award—and was also shortlisted for The Courier-Mail People’s Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award. Her graphic novel series, Burger Force, has won an Aurealis Award and a Bronze Ledger Award and has been shortlisted for the Russell Prize for Humour Writing.

Jackie's visual art has been the subject of solo and group exhibitions and public commissions, and has been a finalist across multiple categories in the Brisbane Portrait Prize. Her work is held in public and private collections.

Her short films and music videos have won or been shortlisted for several honours, including the Queensland New Filmmakers Awards, the Australian Independent Music Video Awards, and the b(if)tek WINK Awards.

Jackie's writing collective, the Fanciful Fiction Auxiliary (FFA), has sold out performance spaces at Brisbane Powerhouse, the New Globe Theatre and Metro Arts. The websites for Burger Force and the FFA have been preserved by the National Archives of Australia as sites of cultural significance.

She's received funding from Australia Council, Arts Queensland and Copyright Agency Limited and has had two art commissions from Brisbane City Council. She's also received a Queensland Writing Fellowship and a Lord Mayor’s Writers Residency.

Jackie is the Artistic Director of Brisbane Writers Festival (2003–) and the Director of the Queensland Literary Awards (2006–). She's judged the Queensland Memory Awards and the Copyright Agency Non-Fiction Fellowship.

Publications

BOOKS

Non Fiction Writing

  • 'We'll Show the World: Expo 88'. St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, 2018.

Fiction Writing & Design

  • 'Burger Force Vol 6'. Brisbane: Independent, 2024
  • 'Burger Force Vol 5'. Brisbane: Independent, 2020
  • 'Burger Force Vol 4'. Brisbane: Independent, 2019
  • 'Burger Force Vol 3. Brisbane: Independent, 2018
  • 'Burger Force Vol 2'. Brisbane: Independent, 2017
  • 'Burger Force Vol 1'. Brisbane: Independent, 2016.

PERIODICALS, BLOGS, CHAPBOOKS & MISCELLANY

Non Fiction Writing

  • Didactic text for State Library of Queensland exhibition 'Queensland to a T'; 2022
  • ‘From PhD to Book: an Expo-lation’. In Rowney, Katie (Ed.) Small Change, Brisbane, University of Queensland, 2018
  • ‘World Expo 88: You’re the Voice Er … I’m One Voice’. In Phillips, Sharon (Ed.) Writing Queensland 259, Brisbane, Queensland Writers Centre, 2017
  • ‘Around the World in 80 Days’. History Australia 10.1, Sydney, Australian Historical Association, Macquarie University, 2013
  • Didactic text written for Museum of Brisbane's 'Light Fantastic' exhibition on World Expo 88; 2013
  • ‘Comic Book Production in the Digital Age’. In Groth, Simon (Ed.) 'Hand Made High Tech', Brisbane, if:book, 2011.

Fiction Writing General

  • ‘It’s the End of the World and This Time We Really Mean It’. Dash Literary Journal, Special Edition, California State University, 2021
  • ‘Cats: Sex Animals'. (Written in character as Valkyrie Cul-de-Sac for the Fanciful Fiction Auxiliary (FFA)), 2019.
  • ‘A Good Heart is Hard to Fund'. (As Valkyrie Cul-de-Sac for the FFA), 2016
  • ‘Space Virgin'. Written in character as Valkyrie Cul-de-Sac for The Fanciful Fiction Auxiliary, 2016
  • ‘John Farnham I'll be your Substratum'. (As Valkyrie Cul-de-Sac for the FFA), 2015
  • ‘Duet for One'. (As Valkyrie Cul-de-Sac for the FFA), 2015.
  • ‘Seaduced'. (As Valkyrie Cul-de-Sac for the FFA), 2014.
  • ‘A Trucker Too Far'. (As Valkyrie Cul-de-Sac for the FFA), 2014.
  • ‘The Long and Sensual Arm of the Law'. (As Valkyrie Cul-de-Sac for the FFA), 2014.
  • ‘The Engorged Landlord'. (As Valkyrie Cul-de-Sac for the FFA), 2014.

Design

  • 'Brisbane Pride Drive' and 'Brisbane Pride Ride'. Cover and back cover art in Frost, Zenobia (Ed.), 'Chewing on a Ruby Passport', Cordite Poetry Review, 2021.
  • 'Isolation Vacation' photographic series in Head, Jerath and O'Brien, Jonathan (Eds.), 'A()Zine, Issue Five', Pseudonaja, Brisbane, 2020.
  • 'Burger Force excerpt' In Harkin, Natalie (Ed.), 'Cordite 89: Domestic.', 2019.
  • ‘Greater Than… You Think’. Visual essay in Sutherland, Renee Vaughn (Ed.) Greater Than 11% Issue 1, London, Greater Than 11%, 2019.
  • ‘High Fashion/ Low Rent’. Visual essay in Li, Bella (Ed.) 'Thrift', Melbourne, Slow Canoe Press, 2018.
  • California Sweet. Cover and internal images for Kent MacCarter's poetry collection. Five Islands Press, University of Melbourne, 2018.

Fiction Writing & Design

  • 'Burger Force Issue 21'. Brisbane: Independent, 2021.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 20'. Brisbane: Independent, 2016.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 19'. Brisbane: Independent, 2015.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 18'. Brisbane: Independent, 2014.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 17'. Brisbane: Independent, 2014.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 16'. Brisbane: Independent, 2014.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 15'. Brisbane: Independent, 2014.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 14'. Brisbane: Independent, 2013.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 13'. Brisbane: Independent, 2013.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 12'. Brisbane: Independent, 2012.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 11'. Brisbane: Independent, 2012.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 10'. Brisbane: Independent, 2011.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 9'. Brisbane: Independent, 2011.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 8'. Brisbane: Independent, 2011.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 7'. Brisbane: Independent, 2011.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 6'. Brisbane: Independent, 2011.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 5'. Brisbane: Independent, 2010.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 4'. Brisbane: Independent, 2010.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 3'. Brisbane: Independent, 2010.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 2'. Brisbane: Independent, 2010.
  • 'Burger Force Issue 1'. Brisbane: Independent, 2010.
Visual Art & Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

  • 2025 Writers on the Wall (Brisbane Powerhouse: Underground Foyer)
  • 2024 Fever Dream (OneSpace Gallery)
  • 2016 The Art of Burger Force (Brisbane Powerhouse: Underground Foyer)
  • 2016 The Art of the Fanciful Fiction Auxiliary (Brisbane Powerhouse: Turbine Platform surrounds)
  • 2010 Burger Force (Redland Art Gallery)

Group Exhibitions

  • 2026 Brisbane Portrait Prize (Pending) State Library of Queensland
  • 2026 Smashup (Pending) Rockhampton Museum of Art
  • 2024 Riverine (OneSpace Gallery)
  • 2023 Goodbye Tiger (OneSpace Gallery)
  • 2021 Your Inner Circles (Circle Work Gallery & Chrysalis) 
  • 2020-21 Depart (OneSpace Gallery)
  • 2019 Trace Biennial Exhibition & Art Auction
  • 2018 Afterimage (OneSpace Gallery)
  • 2017 Afterimage (OneSpace Gallery)

Public Artworks

  • 2016 Vibrant Laneways Art Program, Outdoor Gallery, Brisbane City Council
  • 2015 Vibrant Laneways Art Program, Outdoor Gallery, Brisbane City Council

Collections

  • ABC Art Works Acquisition
  • Queensland Children's Hospital
  • Private Collections

Miscellaneous

  • 2017 Queensland Theatre and Belloo Creative commission (photographic documentation of the play Motherland)
  • 2012 Design of the original logo for the Queensland Literary Awards
  • 2012 Design of a limited-edition poster for Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo (Los Angeles)
Films & Music Videos

DOCUMENTARY

2015: 'We'll Show the World: Expo 88'. 60 minutes. Edited from historic footage and contemporary 'memory box' contributions by visitors to the Museum of Brisbane during the Expo exhibition. Made as part of a PhD. Screened at Schonell Theatre, University of Queensland.

SHORT FILM

(See Awards section for related honours)

2001: 'The Activist' featuring Paul Denny. (Written, produced, directed and edited.) Screened at Okemedia (Germany + European Tour), Education Channel (USA), Wildspaces Festival (Aust), Time To Go John (DVD), Exploding Cinema (England) 

SHORT NON FICTION

2008: 'The Adventures of Expo Oz'. Edited from archival footage for Queensland Museum

2008: 'We'll Show the World'. Edited from archival footage for the SouthBank Corporation 

MUSIC VIDEO

2016: 'Aim High Get High' for Stress of Leisure. (Edited from stock footage.) 

2003: 'Unisex' for b(if)tek. (Produced, directed and edited). Screened at Queensland New Filmmakers Awards (Finalist), BelowGround Film Festival, Straight out of Brisbane Festival, Rage, Channel V.

2007: 'One Man Band' for Iron On. (Produced, directed and edited.)

2002: 'Any Ladies?' for Artificial. (Produced and directed.) Screened at St Kilda National Screening Tour, Toronto Online Film Festival (Canada), Mediawave 2003 (Hungry), Ladyfest (Aust)

2002: 'Macrame' for Artificial. Mini DV. (Directed and edited). Screened at Next Festival (Canada), Orphic (Aust), Ladyfest (Aust), Rage/ Channel V. 

2000: 'Who's Your Daddy?' for Full Fathom Five. (Produced and directed.) Screened at IMVF (Canada) and Ladyfest (Aust.)

Arts Management

Artistic Director: Brisbane Writers Festival; 2023–present. Curating and delivering Brisbane Writers Festival's artistic program of conversations, salons, panels and more.

Director: Queensland Literary Awards; 2026–present. Annual event.

Queensland Memory Awards Judge: State Library of Queensland's John Oxley Library Fellowship. 2022–2024.

Copyright Agency Fellowship Awards Judge: Fellowship for Non-Fiction Writing. 2024.

Head of Programming: Brisbane Writers Festival; 2022. 

Events Coordinator: Avid Reader Brisbane, 2022. 

Programs Manager: Brisbane Writers Festival (short contract five weeks out from the festival); 2022. 

Project Officer: Next Library, Public Libraries & Engagement. In conjunction with Aarhus Public Libraries in Denmark and participating libraries in Oslo and Boston/MIT.  

Project Officer: State Library of Queensland, Community Literacy Projects, Early Literacy Programs (Stories for Little Queenslanders publications); 2020. 

Programs Manager: Queensland Writers Centre; 2016-18. 

Select Appearances / Performances

As a historian and / or author

  • 2022 Redcliffe Library lecture (Expo 88 and the 1980s)
  • 2022 Guest of Brisbane Writers Festival (awards panel)
  • 2020–23 Judge: Common People Dance Eisteddfod 2, Brisbane Festival
  • 2019 Graduation ceremony speaker for The University of Queensland Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • 2019 Lecture for the Royal Historical Society of Queensland (Expo 88)
  • 2019 Guest Speaker at The Brisbane Club (Expo 88 and the 1980s)
  • 2019 Judge: Common People Dance Eisteddfod, Brisbane Festival
  • 2019 Panelist at public symposium 'A Sunshine State? Remembering Queensland's 1980s' held by The University of Queensland's School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry. This event also included a screening of the documentary 'We'll Show the World: Expo 88'
  • 2019 Heritage talk for Pine Rivers heritage Museum (Expo 88)
  • 2019 Author talk for Brisbane City Council Libraries (Expo 88)
  • 2018 Panellist: Queenslanders in Conversation, State Library of Queensland (on major Queensland events)
  • 2018 Guest of Brisbane Writers Festival (Expo 88)
  • 2018 Yarn at Festival 2018
  • 2013 Guest of Brisbane Writers Festival (Burger Force)
  • 2012 Guest of Stan Lee's Komikaze Expo in Los Angeles
  • 2012 Guest of Brisbane Writers Festival (Burger Force)
  • 2012 Guest of Emerging Writers' Festival Melbourne (Burger Force)

In performance with the Fanciful Fiction Auxiliary 

  • 2022 'Luscious Library Salon' at State Library of Queensland
  • 2020 'Dirty Laundry' at Metro Arts 
  • 2018–19 Woodford Folk Festival
  • 2018 Women of the World Festival and Knockoff at Brisbane Powerhouse for the 2018 Commonwealth Games Arts Showcase
  • 2017 Brisbane Writers Festival
  • 2016 Wonderland Festival at Brisbane Powerhouse
  • 2016 The Planting Festival
  • 2016 Queensland Poetry Festival's 'Couplet' at Brisbane City Council City Square Library
  • 2016 Noted Writers Festival, Canberra
  • 2016 Bad!Slam!No!Biscuit! at the Phoenix, Canberra
  • 2015 Woodford Folk Festival
  • 2015 Opening Night MCs for Queensland Poetry Festival with Tuesday Thatch (AKA Carody Culver) + two performances
  • 2015 Queensland Poetry Riverbend series
  • Bad!Slam!No!Memoir
  • 2014 Woodford Folk Festival
  • 2014 Brisbane Fringe Festival
Awards
  • Finalist: 2026 Brisbane Portrait Prize
  • Shortlisted: 2021 Russell Prize for Humour Writing ('Burger Force Vol. 4')
  • Winner: 2020 Bronze Ledger Award for Excellence in Australian Comics and Graphic Novels ('Burger Force Vol. 4')
  • Winner: 2018 Queensland Literary Awards - Queensland Premier's Award for a Work of State Significance ('We'll Show the World: Expo 88')
  • Winner: 2018 Queensland Literary Awards - University of Southern Queensland History Book Award ('We'll Show the World: Expo 88')
  • Shortlisted: 2018 Queensland Literary Awards The Courier-Mail People's Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award ('We'll Show the World: Expo 88')
  • Shortlisted: 2017 Ledger Awards for Excellence in Australian Comics and Graphic Novels ('Burger Force Vol 1')
  • Shortlisted: 2015 Ledger Awards for Excellence in Australian Comics and Graphic Novels ('Burger Force' issues 15-18)
  • Winner: 2013 Aurealis Award for Best Illustrated Book or Graphic Novel ('Burger Force' issues 11-14)
  • Finalist: 2007 Australian Independent Music Video Awards ('One Man Band' music video for Iron On)
  • Finalist: 2003 Queensland New Filmmakers Awards ('Unisex' music video for b(if)tek)
  • Winner: Best Short Film, 2003 Kill Your TV Awards ('The Activist')
  • Highly Commended: 2000 Warner Roadshow Studios 15th Queensland New Filmmakers Awards ('Who's Your Daddy?' music video for Full Fathom Five)
  • Winner: Riverina Flicker 2000: Best Music Video ('Who's Your Daddy?' music video for Full Fathom Five)
  • Winner: 2000 B(if)tek WINK Awards ('Who's Your Daddy?' music video for Full Fathom Five)
Other Honours

2021 Arts Queensland funding towards audience development for 'Burger Force' comics

2021 Australia Council funding towards the creation of a new non fiction work

2018 Lord Mayor's Writers in Residence - Brisbane City Council Libraries

2017 Honorary Research Fellow - The University of Queensland

2017 Fanciful Fiction Auxiliary website archived by the National Library of Australia as a site of cultural significance

2012 Australian Postgraduate Awards Scholarship

2012 Copyright Agency Limited grant to attend the Stan Lee Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles

2012 'Burger Force' website archived by the National Library of Australia as a site of cultural significance

2011 Arts Queensland grant to attend Alternative Press Expo in San Francisco

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