Wall of Echo

If you are not sure how to say Anke’s name, it rhymes with the German word for thank you – ‘Danke’. Anke was born in Germany and illustrates stories, poems, and events, using sand and an ‘old-school’ overhead projector. Her sand-work has been seen at spoken word poetry events including at Trades Hall and Federation Square. She currently co-runs monthly poetry events in Dandenong (Perc.U.lations) and Northcote (RadioLaria) and writes poetry and lyrics. Anke has previously worked across Australia as a performer, facilitator and artist, with Theatro Oneiron and Crossroad Arts. She regularly performs in the neo-folk duo ‘Awkward Strangers’.

Maile Bowen is a writer, artist, and embodiment teacher based in Walyalup on Noongar Country. Her work explores the relationship to place and culture, influenced by her kanaka maoli heritage. Water and land are central to her work, which also weaves in years of writing on gender and feminism, when she created feminist publication Accidental Discharge, active from 2013-2017.

Virginia Helzainka is a Co-Founder of Unspoken – Bali Poetry Slam, an initiative that conducts workshops and poetry slams every couple of months throughout the year. This endeavor collaborates closely with Bali’s local art, theater, and youth communities. In 2017, she authored the poetry book entitled Cocktail, Waves & Archer published under Mahima Institute Indonesia.

Kurnia Gusti Sawiji, hailing from Bojong Nangka, Tangerang, Banten, describes himself as a writer, teacher and perpetual learner. He spends his time writing novels, short stories, formulas, teaching modules, exam questions, and many other things. Some of his essays and short stories have found their way into both print and online platforms such as Mojok, Suara Merdeka, and Kompas.