Who is sarah?
Buy my graphic novel “Eventually Everything Connects”
Short Bio
Sarah Firth (she/her) is based on Wurundjeri Country, Melbourne, Australia. She is an artist, writer, cartoonist, graphic recorder and animator, originally trained as a classical sculptor. She has received a Talking Difference Fellowship from the Immigration Museum, was a finalist in the Incinerator Gallery Award For Social Change and her comics were part of Eisner Award-winning and Ignatz nominated comic anthologies.
Her debut graphic novel “Eventually Everything Connects” was short listed for The Prime Minister’s Literary Awards 2024, selected as The Age’s Non-Fiction Pick of The Week, ALIA’s Notable Graphic Novels of 2023 and one of The Best Graphic Novels Ever by Refinery29.
Headshots And Media Release
Download a selection of portraits for media use.
Download the media release for my debut graphic novel “Eventually Everything Connects”.
Extended Bio
Sarah Firth has many notable achievements as an artist and writer. In 2006 Sarah was named one of Australia’s top 25 artists aged 25 and under in the 25/25 show by Art & Australia Magazine. In 2007 she received a commission and residency with Carriageworks, followed by a commission from Experimenta Media Arts in 2010.
In 2012 she was awarded the Talking Difference Fellowship at the Immigration Museum, and her animated documentary won a People’s Choice Award in the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival. In 2017 she was in the Yogyakarta Biennale in Indonesia, the Lakes International Comic Festival in the UK and the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival.
In 2018 she received a Frankie Magazine Good Stuff Award, was a finalist in the Incinerator Art Award for Social Change, and her graphic essay on complexity was listed in The Conversation's ten of the best literary comics in Australia. And in 2020 she won an Eisner Award, as one of the artists in the “Drawing Power” anthology. That was also named one the best comic anthologies by the New York Times.
Sarah has a stack of self-published zines and workbooks available here, and has had her comics and illustrations published by Routledge, Affirm Press, Allen & Unwin, Abrams Books, Penguin Australia, Black Inc and Picador Australia. She also has work online with Cordite, The Nib, The Conversation, Human Parts, Frankie Magazine, and ABC Arts.
Her debut graphic novel “Eventually Everything Connects” is available now. It is a collection of creative nonfiction essays, exploring living with uncertainty and trying to make sense of the world. This book has received support from the Creators Fund program in 2019, a City of Melbourne COVID-19 grant in 2020, a VicArts grant in 2021 and an Australia Council Grant in 2022.
STFCS Business Bio
Since 2010 - through her business Sarah The Firth Creative Services - she has offered tailored and impactful client experiences across sectors and contexts. With the mission to help visually clarify, amplify, and bring great work and ideas to life.
Her services range from live graphic recording, graphic facilitation and strategic visualisation, to infographics, graphic essays, illustration, animation, explainer videos, coaching and training.
Some of my clients
Publications
2024
Desire Lines, Cordite Poetry Review
Eventually Everything Connects - Eight Essays on Uncertainty US edition Graphic Mundi
2023
Eventually Everything Connects - Eight Essays on Uncertainty AUS edition Joan Press/Allen & Unwin
“We Were Here” Island Magazine #168
2022
Affordable Housing Crisis - Assemble Papers
Time Wise, Amantha Imber, Penguin
Trust Yourself, Babe, Science Write Now
2021
#42 Scientific Facts - Latvia, Kuś Comics
Think On The Page - self published
Growing up Disabled in Australia - Black Inc.
Unexpectedly Thriving - Assemble Papers
Covid Chronicles - State of Emergency - Graphic Mundi, Penn State Press
2020
The Space Between - Penguin
Decameron - Yonkers International Press
On Loving Bad Artists - Artguide
The Purposes of Education - Routledge
2019
Drawing Power - ABRAMS Books
#MeToo - Picador Australia
Badass Mums - Affirm Press
Choice Words - Allen & Unwin
2018
Australia’s Top Literary Comics The Conversation
Frankie Good Stuff Award Winner Issue #83
Neither Here Nor Hair comic anthology
2014 - 2017
Who Likes Short Shorts self published
Have A Seat Or Don't self published
Bread & Roses #1 Silent Army Storeroom
A Trip To York self published
Graphic Recording - A Definitive Guide To Live Illustration GESTALTEN
Drink Drank Drink THE NIB
Buried Treasure self published
David Attenborough & Friends self published
Sketchbook World Tour Princeton Architectural Press
Have a Seat or Don't THE NIB
Sarah is a comic artist and author.
MEDIA & INTERVIEWS
2024
Eventually Everything Connects short listed for non-fiction category of the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards
Eventually Everything Connects Readings PMLA Shortlist
Interview with Chinwag with Leigh Chalker about Eventually Everything Connects
Eventually Everything Connects listed in ALIA Notable Graphic Novels of 2023
Interview with The AusComx Show about Eventually Everything Connects
Interview with Comics Grinder USA on Eventually Everything Connects
2023
Eventually Everything Connects listed as one of the best graphic novels ever by Refinery29
Eventually Everything Connects selected for The Australia Institute Essential Reading List 2023
Eventually Everything Connects listed in The Conversation’s Best Books of 2023
Eventually Everything Connects selected as The Age Non-Fiction pick of the week
Eventually Everything Connects selected for BROADSHEET’s top 15 reads this summer
Eventually Everything Connects listed in Jaclyn Crupi’s favourite books of 2023
Readings interview about Eventually Everything Connects
Shelf Reflection interview with Kill Your Darlings
Interview with RRR on Literati Glitterati
Eventually Everything Connects selected for The West Australian Best Books of 2023 in PLAY magazine
Eventually Everything Connects in the Get Smart reading list in Qantas Magazine
RiotAct interview about Eventually Everything Connects
Star Mail interview about Eventually Everything Connects
Eventually Everything Connects listed in the Victorian Womens Trust reccomended reads of 2023.
Artshub 5 Star Review of Eventually Everything Connects
The Big Issue 5 Star Review of Eventually Everything Connects
Readings Memoir reccomendation of Eventually Everything Connects
Ramona Magazine Interview about Eventually Everything Connects
Interview with the Kapow Comic Book Show about Eventually Everything Connects and The Comic Art Workshop
Readings Monthly Review of Eventually Everything Connects
Live Show, Imposter Syndrome Club Podcast
2022
Sarah Firth acquired by Nakkiah Lui’s new Allen & Unwin Imprint, Joan Press.
Interview, Imposter Syndrome Club Podcast
Sydney Writers Festival with Nakkiah Lui, Brooke Boney and Maddie Godfrey
Creative Mornings Melbourne Keynote
Comics Grinder Interview
Review of Think On The Page
2021
COVID Chronicles one of the best graphic novels of 2021
Behind The Lines show at MoAD
Autonomous Creative - Creative Strength
ABC The Drum Neurodiversity and Creativity
Review of COVID Chronicles
ABC The Drum Growing Up Disabled in Australia
COVID Chronicles launch
State Library of Victoria Growing Up Disabled in Australia
2020
Comic Art Workshop Symposium
The Purposes of Education review
Routines & Ruts Podcast
2019
Dr Jason Fox Navigating Complexity Ep. 23
Visual Friends podcast interview
ABC LIFE money and business interview
Badass Mums interview
#MeToo Anthology Review
Review of the #MeToo Anthology
Review of the Choice Words Anthology
2018
Frankie Good Stuff Award Winner Issue #83
2017
Hot Chicks With Big Brains QnA
Starving Artist Creative Strategy Ep. 7
Vice Creators Starving Artist Launch
Studio interview with Local Story Space
Go Goldfields graphic recordings and site
The Impossible Wall Kill Your Darlings
2016
Treaty Consultation Results Aboriginal VIC
Treaty Consultation NITV
Wodonga 2023 Plan Wodonga Council
2015
An Inkpot of Fate Tasmanian Writers and Festival
Resilient Melbourne Strategy
Review Tasmanian Writers Festival
Unpacking The Money Shot Spook Mag
2007 - 2011
Unity in Diversity Right Now
SELF animation National Portrait Gallery
Emerging Artist Reel Time Arts
Newsletter Signup
Sarah Firth is an Eisner Award-winning artist
Sarah is a founding committee member of GRA.
Graphic Recorders Australia is a not-for-profit professional membership association, initiated to support the growth and quality of the Graphic Recording community in Australia. And to ensure the ongoing high standard of quality in our industry, for practitioners and our clients.
Sarah is a member of IFVP - a global network of recognised graphic recorders and graphic facilitators.
Sarah was Deputy Chair of the Board of CDN
2018 - 2021
The Cultural Development Network works to increase the expression of culture through the platform of the arts, libraries and heritage.
We build the capacity of local governments and arts organisations across Australia to support artists and local communities.
SPEAKER
2024
Brooklyn Book Festival Carousel: Comics Performances
Special guest at The Centre for Cartoon Studies Vermont
Special guest at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
SPX Washington Science Communication Panel
Guest speaker at The Social Impact Summit
2023
Guest speaker at the launch of the Australian Women’s Health Hub
2022
Sydney Writers Festival - Joan Press launch with Nakkiah Lui, Brooke Boney and Maddie
2021
Autonomous Creative - Creative Strength
Creative Mornings Melbourne Keynote on Navigating Creative Uncertainty
Schools Keynote - Neurodivergence and Creativity
2020
2019
Drawing Power Launch, Readings Carlton
2018
ThINK on the page - Side Project Sessions
Crispy Synthetic Heat Winter Reading Series
Visual Communication Design Forum - UTS
Read To Me - Know St Bar Sydney
Read To Me - State Library of Victoria
2017
Ubud Writers Festival Indonesia
Read To Me at the Jogjakarta Biennale
Read To Me - Drawing Voice
Filmme Fatales Review Panel Melbourne Art Book fair NGV
2012 - 2016
An Inkpot of Fate Tasmanian Writers Festival
Graphic Recording Panel Stanley Awards
Human Rights Arts & Film Festival Award Winners Panel
Face to Face Project Launch
Films & Animations
2016
Organisational Communication Uni Melb
Youth Policy 2016 Vic Gov Dept Edu
2015
Body Language experimental film
HEADSHOTS experimental film
Lady Gagayrus Minajaperry ADULT animation
Organisational Culture Uni Melb
Funeral Selfie Triptank Comedy Central
St Patrick's Day Triptank Comedy Central
B&B Valentine Triptank Comedy Central
2014
Oxfam Connect Oxfam South Africa
Beyond 100: Children's Views ACT Gov
To Coach or Mentor? Swinburne Uni
2013
YouthLaw Helping Young People YouthLaw
Crafting Pathways Wellsprings for Women
Children's Stories: From Melbourne to Mexico workshop documentary
2012
Print on Wood Print on Wood
Gentlemen, Please! VCA animation
2009 - 2011
ALIGN experimental animation
SELF experimental animation
Y-Fronts in the Wind experimental film
CURRICULUM VITAE
Education
2022: Anthrolopogy of Trauma 3-week course with Dr Alex Pavlotski
2021: Anthropology of Embodiment 9-week course with Dr Alex Pavlotski
2020: Anthropology 101 9-week course with Dr Alex Pavlotski
2019: Systems Scribing Lab 5-week course with the Visual Practice Workshop
2018: Visual Practice Workshop, systems thinking and professional development with Presencing Institute, Melbourne
2014: EuViz, graphic recording and facilitation training forum, through the International Forum Of Visual Practitioners, Berlin
2011 - 2014: Graphic recording and facilitation training with the difference at PwC, KPMG U-Collaborate and the ASE at Capgemini
2012: 13 week Graduate Animation Intensive at the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne
2006: Second exchange to Kyoto Seika University, Japan
2005: Scholarship and exchange to LASALLE SIA College of the Arts, Singapore
2004: First exchange to Kyoto Seika University, Japan
2003 – 2006: Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours at the Australian National University, Canberra
workshop, teaching, facilitation & EVENT experience
2024: Drawn From Life: Comic and graphic novel workshop with Sarah Firth, Kew Library, Melbourne
2021: Graphic Recording Training Intensive. A three-week graphic recording training for Aldinga Payinthi College
2020: Visual Design Expertise Support. A three-week visual communication training for ATO Enterprise Strategy and Design Branch Leaders
2020: Artist Toolkit Workshop with Ainsle & Gorman Arts Centres
2016: Carbon Arts Garden of Earthly Delights interactive environmental pledge project at the Castlemaine State Festival
2014 - 2016: Graphic Recording training workshops
2014: Jervis Bay School comic workshop with the ACT Children & Young People Commissioner
2014: IWDA Annual Reflection two-day strategic planning workshop
2013: Australian Red Cross, Australian Volunteers In Development Program, Annual Reflection, two-day strategic planning workshop
2012: Cultural Comic Workshops with the Imagina Museum and the Arquetopia Foundation, in Puebla, Mexico with students ages 6 - 15yrs
2012: Talking Difference Workshops with the Immigration Museum Fellowship with primary school students aged 10 – 12yrs
2012: Bondi Pavilion Animation Classes series of three-day animation intensive workshops with children and teenagers aged 10 – 16yrs
2010-2011: Face to Face comic drawing workshops with the Cultural Council in Springvale and local primary school groups of children aged 5 – 12yrs
Selected awards, Grants, commissions and residencies
2024: Eventually Everything Connects short listed for the non-fiction category of The Prime Minister’s Literary Awards
2023: We Were Here, short listed for the Island Magazine Non-Fiction Prize
2022: Bullshit Buffet, #42 Kuś Scientific Facts nominated for an Ignatz Award
2021: COVID Chronicles named one of the best graphic novels of 2021 by The Washington Post.
2021: “Particulars” commissioned by City of Literature.
2021: Feeling Small Today nominated for the Broken Pencil Zine Awards, Toronto, Canada.
2021: VicArts 6-month grant for the research ad development of my debut graphic novel.
2020: Drawing Power won an Eisner Award for best anthology.
2020: Drawing Power and Choice words on the Ledger Awards Short List.
2020: City of Melbourne COVID-19 Arts Grant for the research and development of my debut graphic novel.
2019: Drawing Power selected as one of the best comics of 2019 by The New York Times
2019: Neither Here Nor Hair awarded Silver Ledger, at The Ledger Awards
2018: Grant from the Creators Fund program for the research and development of my debut graphic novel.
2018: Finalist in the Incinerator Art Award: Art For Social Change 2018
2018: Winner of the Frankie Magazine Good Stuff Awards in the Video category, for my animation
2018: Comic collection Short Shorts finalist in the Ledger Awards
2017: Krack! Studio Residency, Jogjakarta, Indonesia with The Comic Art Workshop
2016: HEADSHOTS - official selection of the Aesthetica Short Film Festival,
2016: PLAN poster Civil Society Innovation Award
2015: First Prize winner at the BrunswickArts Show
2015: The Comic Art Workshop Residency
2014: Winner at the SquishFace Studio Coaster Show
2013: Wake Up, (mini-comic) nominated for the Ledger Awards
2013: Crafting Pathways, a documentary about the Wellsprings For Women Inc. Centre, funded by the Margaret Lawrence Bequest
2012: Gentlemen, Please! was selected as a finalist in the Peninsula Short Film Festival, Rosebud, VIC
2012: People’s Choice Award Face to Face: Children’s Stories, in the Australian Shorts section of the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival ACMI, VIC
2012: Arquetopia Artist in Residency in Oaxaca and Puebla, Mexico
2012: Chantilly Studios Artist in Residency, Nicholson Building, Melbourne
2011: Awarded the Talking Difference Fellowship at the Immigration Museum, Melbourne, VIC
2010-2011: Artist in residency with the Cultural Council in Springvale VIC as part of their Face to Face project
2010: SELF animation, selected as a finalist in the National Youth Portrait Prize, the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra
2010: Commissioned to make a drawing machine by Experimenta Media Arts, Melbourne
2009: CAPO Grant, Canberra
2009: Winner of the CCAS Copy Cat Show, Manuka CCAS Gallery, Canberra
2009: Solander Gallery Art Prize, Tuggeranong RYA, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Canberra
2009: Y-Fronts in the Wind, finalist in Canberra Short Film Festival, DENDY Short Seasons and winner of Best Screenplay made for Lights! Canberra! Action!
2007: Commission - drawing machine for Performing Objects and Machines, Carriage Works Sydney
2006: Selected for 25/25: Australia’s top 25 artists aged 25 and under, sponsored and selected by Art & Australia in collaboration with Noise, Sydney
2006: Awarded exhibitions at The Front Gallery, The Hive and The Grammar School Gallery through the Emerging Artist’s Scheme
2005: Awarded the LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts Singapore Scholarship, Singapore
2005: Awarded the ANU Nigel Thompson Travelling Scholarship, Canberra
Selected group exhibitions, Fairs, performances and festival screenings
2024: Caretelling: Stories to Sustain Ourselves Penn State College of Arts and Architecture
2024: Human Work, Group show with Michael Fikaris, Backwoods Gallery, Collingwood, Melbourne
2024: International Comics Exhibition, Salon Stripa, SKC Belgrade, Serbia
2024: Australian Comics Exhibition in Chengdu and Shanghai, China
2023: Buggin’ Out, Off The Kerb Gallery, Collingwood, curated by Tegan Iversen
2023: Bowie BB, Honey Bones Gallery, Brunswick, curated by Tegan Iversen
2022: Australian Comics Exhibition in Bangkok, Thiland
2022: Powerhouse Late with the Sydney Writers Festival, curated by Mariam Arcilla, Sydney.
2022: Behind The Lines: The Year in Political Cartoons. MoAD, Old Parliament House, Canberra.
2022: Illustrate Your Life Comics Show, Bangkok Art & Culture Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
2021: Papercuts Comic Arts Festival, South Australia.
2020: OneonOne virtual live event where storytellers, poets and artists come together
2018: Incinerator Art Award: Art For Social Change 2018
2018: The Other Art Fair, F*EMS (Females For Equality Making Stuff) Artist Collective
2018: Inner Atmospheres, Perth International Comic Festival
2017: Yogyakarta Biennale, The Comic Art Workshop
2017: Lakes International Comic Art Festival
2017: Indigenous Literacy Foundation Silent Auction, Penguin Random House, North Sydney
2017: National Gallery of Victoria, Australian Zine Showcase at the Melbourne Art Book Fair
2017: GUTTERS Perth Fringe Festival
2016 - 2018: Festival of The Photocopier, Melbourne Town Hall
2015: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia Zine Fair
2015: SUPERGRAPH Melbourne Exhibition Centre
2014: 40x40 Show, Brunswick Street Gallery, Fitzroy, Melbourne
2014: Crafting Pathways screened at the Wellsprings 20th Anniversary, Dandenong, Melbourne
2014: The Linden Centre for Contemporary Arts Postcard Show, St Kilda, Melbourne
2013: Crafting Pathways screened at the End of the Line Festival, Belgrave, Melbourne
2013: Los errores en México screened at the YOU ARE HERE Festival, Canberra
2013: Face to Face: Children’s Stories in the Long Shorts Screening at the Shadow Electric at the Abbotsford Convent
2012: Illuminations, Jitter Festival, Bondi Pavilion, Contemporary Australian Animation
2012: Face to Face: Children’s Stories in the Australian Shorts section of the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival ACMI
2012: Face to Face: Children’s Stories, Bondi Pavilion Festival Sydney, SOHO Shorts in London and the Human Rights Festival in Melbourne
2011: Face to Face: Children’s Stories, 7th RENDERYARD Film Festival, in La Rioja, Spain, GENERATION NEXT at NOVA Cinema, Melbourne.
2011: RE: http://regarding.com.au/artwork/ a 7 month online gallery project
2010: Reflex – the mechanical poetry of kinetic sculpture, Gaffa Gallery, Sydney CBD
2010: For my sister, Blank Space Gallery, Surry Hills, Sydney
2010: Reflex – the mechanical poetry of kinetic sculpture, M16 Artspace, Fyshwick, Canberra
2010: Akin to, The Front Gallery, Lyneham, Canberra
2008: Tableaux Attic, M16 Artspace, Fyshwick, Canberra
2008: Red Shoes presents: Tableaux Vivants, Peepshow, The Front Galley, Canberra
2007: Nico & Claudette, The Fringe Festival Canberra
2007: Performing Objects and Machines, Carriage Works, Sydney
2006: 25/25: Australia’s top 25 artists aged 25 and under, Art on Bourke, Surry Hills
2005: UrbaNONurban, LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts, Singapore
Solo exhibitions
2015: HEADSHOTS BrunswickArts
2011: Attraction, Red Gallery, North Fitzroy, Melbourne
2008: Drawn, CGS Gallery, Red Hill, Canberra
2007: Can I Kiss You? Photospace Gallery, ANU, Canberra