Studio dispatch #02

Dear friends,

These studio dispatches are an opportunity for me to share news from my creative practice. Sustaining myself as an independent studio artist, writer and children’s author has allowed me to dedicate the greater share of my time to unpaid research, agitprop, editorial, and mutual aid work. And so, I really appreciate the support I receive from individuals — and occasion paid commissions from uncompromising organisations.

I’ll try to post these studio updates a little more frequently over the coming year.

I’ve made twelve new pencil and watercolour drawings for my 2026 calendar, reproduced as duotone Risograph prints designed to pull out and keep. You’ll find a full-page artwork featuring a Lunar Year animal portrait for every month.

Each print has been lovingly checked, collated, and wire-bound, and is ready to hang. There’s plenty of room for your goals, schedules and schemes. Colonial and imperialist holidays are correctly named on spacious A4 monthly grids. Global revolutionary anniversaries and liberation days are also marked. Dates worth observing!

As always, if you’re a paid subscriber to this newsletter, simply enter ACAB at checkout for free shipping.

ORDER HERE

Back in January, Carumba Institute invited me to bring my sketchbook and journal to an anti-racism symposium in Magandjin. My partner Tess also attended and took notes. During the tedious Zionist-led attack and ‘investigation’ that followed, I was asked to postpone sharing any documentation from the event. Now that an ‘independent review’ has deemed the symposium ‘not antisemitic’ (yawn) I’m able to share a few sketchbook pages:

Additionally, in the days following the anti-racism symposium, I wrote an article about the event, the infiltrator, and Zionist media:

I also documented the clownish ‘Australian’ parliamentary joint committee on ‘human rights’ during which myself and other symposium attendees were attacked by Zionist politicians:

Is there an event you’d like me to attend and document through traditional art materials and critical reportage? Reach out 💛

A two-day workshop for people who make — or might like to make — revolutionary print objects for kids. Tess (Slingshot Books) and I will be running our workshop again this weekend, 13 and 14 December.

What are the power structures and ideological constraints of western children’s publishing? How might these forestall or sabotage our collective liberation? How might we nurture a revolutionary and age-appropriate anti-imperialism in young readers?

On day one, we’ll demystify the process of making both traditional and alternative print material for children. We’ll answer your questions and resource you to navigate this industry.

On day two, we’ll workshop your own manuscripts, portfolios and ideas in a supportive, engaged environment. If you want to take a conventional path with your work, we’ll provide you with the information you need. If you want to challenge conventions, we’re here to help you build a creative strategy.

Date and location: Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December // 10am to 4pm // Coburg Wurundjeri Land // Online attendance available

Access: Sensory friendly environment // HEPA filters provided // Masks encouraged // Wheelchair accessible

Bookings: AUD380 for two days // Free for First Nations people

BOOK HERE

Testimonials from our previous workshop:

‘The workshop was so fortifying. To be with like-minded people quietly blew my mind. It was illuminating and galvanising to listen to your experienced perspectives and staunch activism. Big thanks to Matt and Tess for their generosity and expertise. And to meet so many wonderful creative people was a balm for the soul and spark for the brain. The whole experience was refreshing and stimulating and inspiring.’

—Julianne Negri

‘I’m still reeling from the goodness of our time together. I’m seeing everything differently, more clearly. I’m communicating more effectively with my children, somehow. I think it’s bringing the child-centric lens into everything we do together.’

—Jasper Peach

‘Was an incredible weekend listening to your ideas and experiences. I’m very lucky to have found such a staunch community of writers.’

—Patrick Mercer

Thanks for reading Matt Chun’s Newsletter.

I’m an independent artist, writer, and picture book creator. To support my practice, visit my online store, or consider becoming a paid subscriber to this newsletter.

I’m also a founding and current co-editor of revolutionary print periodical The Sunday Paper, an imprint of Slingshot Books.

To share information with me about censorship, ownership, funding, infiltration, or influence, please use my secure submission form. I’m happy to archive receipts from any industry or community. However, I’m more likely to follow up and write about a subject that falls within my areas of experience: primarily creative arts, the publishing industry, and news media within the Australian colony.

AI policy: I never use AI to generate, edit, or refine any part of my image-making, research, writing, or publishing process. When I make art, I use traditional materials: pencil, watercolour, and ink on paper. If you consume my work you can be sure that the labour, creativity, language, and materiality is my own.