Holly English

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN ALL WAYS: FELLOW ARTISTS, GORGEOUS COMMUNITY & DEAR ONES.

Pic: Hugh Stewart 2023

NEWS 2025

DECEMBER

‘Behind the Lines’ is an annual cartoon exhibition which celebrates the talent of this country’s best cartoonists.

Held at The Museum of Australian Democracy in Canberra, Old Parliament House, it presents a unique time capsule of the year in Australian politics.

It is an annual show in its 30th year and is considered an Australian cultural institution.

There is also a paperback book of the exhibition, the exhibition is accessible online and will also tour in 2026.

My cartoon ‘At The Polls’ was selected for this year’s exhibition and was drawn after an experience at the polling booth in Byron Bay, for the 2025 Federal election.

I am not sure if the Labor volunteer handing out the ‘how to vote’ card actually didn’t understand the preferencing system or they were told to spread disinformation, which I have witnessed in previous elections before from the local Labor Party.

Perhaps it was both.

Little did she know that I have been involved in politics for over 30 years.

Additionally, I was dismayed that Labor voters who strongly agree with a ceasefire and claim to be upset about the situation in Gaza were nonetheless complacent about Australia supplying weapons parts, which Israel is using in their genocide against Palestinians. Those Labor supporters seemed unable to make the connection between the two things, or even see the contradiction.

I am beyond honoured to be included in Behind The Lines and was thrilled to attend the opening event which was a joyful occasion.

To get to hang out with fellow cartoonists is always a humorous experience even though we often are talking about very serious content in our work. It was wonderful.

As a person with a disability, the MoAD team were fantastic with accessibility and support, in a respectful and open way. This is how all event spaces could and should implement accessibility for the people with disability (beyond wheelchair access) who often get left out of spaces because of ableism, which isn’t taught in schools, unlike education about other marginalised and discriminated groups. All are important. Education is key. I am happy to represent the disability community and hope that more disabled artists get the support they need to be included not only in prestigious events like this, but all events, including the humble local hall gigs.

(BTL Bio: Holly English is an artist and activist who lives on Arakwal Bundjalung Country in NSW. Her work is informed by her lived experience of disability and passion for environmental justice, satirically critiquing the ultra-privileged in her community of Byron Bay. Holly’s work has been shortlisted in the Comic Arts Awards of Australia and International Broken Pencil Zine Awards, and is often featured in The Nimbin Good Times and The Byron Shire Echo).

NOVEMBER

I am recording a five-part series ‘story time’.
This is the first one: ‘Byron Bay & the Cult of Spirituality’.
I hope you enjoy my bang-ons.
You might be in one!
Listen on all your favourite listening platforms: Spotify, iHeart podcasts, Apple Podcasts &/or Acast. Link in bio or below.
I recorded this one last week & will probably record the next ones soon & post them over the next few months.
💖
LINK HERE:
https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/68fdcd3fdeee754a727563a0

OCTOBER

“Bad Neighbour”. A ten-part comic/cartoon novella series, style inspired and based on the mid-20th Century Vintage Comic Book series “Adventures Into The Unknown”.

SEPTEMBER

Support me & my art! Please buy me a ‘coffee’ or several!
https://ko-fi.com/hollyenglish

JULY

Tom and I made an album ‘Vs!’.

Most songs are originals, with a few unrecognisable covers & we’re both really proud of this work.

It’s no Prince. It’s no Tay-Tay.

But it is us.

Two comic artists who love music ( & Prince) & collaborated to make this heartfelt, intimate, emotive, intercontinental album.

It was made with joy, delight & little effort.

I mean, there was EFFORT: but the type that feels easeful & RIGHT.

And this was NOT PLANNED. It was one track. Then another…

Tom is the #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING Author of “Rosalie Lightning” (everybody buy it!) & founder / director of the International Sequential Artists Workshop, as well as an renowned all-round nice guy.

I learnt piano, guitar & vocals growing up, was in bands in my 20’s, a campfire muso & now just do karaoke.

Tom has made a zillion albums in his recent adult life. This is my first.

It’s been really joyful, during a really challenging medical time for me (disability! pituitary brain tumour! torn ACL!).

Ultimately, it’s my friends who get me through & being creative is just the complete icing on the cake.

It’s been a privilege to share support & friendship with Tom during this creative process.

Here are two reviews from friends thus far! (pretty sure it won’t be reviewed by Rolling Stone…)

“…The whole thing feels magical, dreamy, vulnerable and intimate. Like I stumbled onto something I’m not supposed to hear which makes it feel a little forbidden which is so interesting. Sometimes like spells being cast. Very cool. So glad you guys did this and that I got to hear it”. – Michael, Pennsylvania, USA

“Listening to Superior Devotion..your voice brings tears. So beautiful Holly”. – Tim, Melbourne, AUS

Each song is very different.

It is amazing how intimate making an album about ‘Big Feelings’ can be.

We also made some fluffy & fun ( the Interludes! Darling Nikki! Cheeses! ).

Cover design by Tom, which I brutalised with a texta.

Cover portraits by Hugh Stewart and Gabriel Clark.

There are sincere album notes on the site as well as curated images for each track.

It’s FREE to download the album. However, there is an option of purchasing it at any price.

Of course, we would love any financial support at this time! But no big deal! Just have a listen & enjoy!

Tom’s notes:

“Hello! Finally it can be revealed! four months in the making! This is an album by Holly English from Australia & me. We had a lot of fun putting these tracks together. If you’re fans of either of ours, or somehow both of us, then well this is for you.

If you like sharks, you might like this. If you like grief, you might like this”.

https://hutchowen.bandcamp.com/album/tom-hart-vs-holly-english-2

JULY

MAY

A big thank you to everyone who supported my GoFundMe campaign.
I’ve reached my 5K goal and now I can afford my medical expenses that are not covered by Medicare.

I so appreciate you and our wonderful global village.

FEBRUARY

On Valentine’s Day, Friday 14th February 2-5pm, I will be hosting a free event ‘The Alternative Comics Workshop’.

As a Byron Bay Library special event for ‘Library Lover’s Day’ I will be teaching the basics of making a comic book and how to express yourself through pictures and words.

No experience or drawing ability necessary.

You will leave with your own self-made comic and new knowledge and resources to explore this fun and therapeutic medium of storytelling.

There will be a break for beverages, strawberries and chocolates during the workshop, giving you time to mingle or simply check out the stellar selection of graphic novels that will be on display and available to borrow from the library after the workshop.

Everyone has a story…many stories to tell! Even stick-figure comic books can be truly moving.

Share your stories with the world or even just a few friends.

Perhaps only for yourself!

It is a joyful, explorative way of telling your stories; the good, the bad and the painfully ugly!

There’s beauty in the mess of our lives.

I’ve made nine comic books and zines and currently working on my first graphic novel.

I have been shortlisted for The Australian Comics Award and twice for the International Broken Pencil Zine Awards (Comics Section).

In 2024 I was featured at ‘Read To Me’ in Sydney, reading my Byron Bay comic book on the big screen in front of an enthusiastic live audience, which was recorded and later broadcast on “All The Best” fbi radio.

This is an 18+ adult event, inclusive and accessible*. I am volunteering my time! THIS IS ALL FOR JOY!

Bookings essential:

(02) 6685 8540

*Please let the library know your accessibility needs when you book.

Poster & social media tile design by the very talented Katie Brown.

JANUARY

PODCAST: F The Noise

If you haven’t already, please check out this recent interview by the very beautiful & smart Lauren Firenze Gill, in our wonderful conversation about major life changes & loss – including friendship changes & grief that people rarely want to talk about – my changing values over the decades & what’s really important now.

We also touch on my personal solo ‘zen’ retreats with zero-wifi in the wilderness, living with disability & both of us being Cancer survivors, in very different ways.

Listen via Spotify or your favourite listening app. I love this woman. @fthenoise_

I prefer the video (YouTube) version of the podcast (find Lauren on YouTube, simply her name), because you can really see us relating with our body language & expressions, which is sometimes so important with understanding true communication & connection.

Holly’s comics & zines

All nine comics and zines are available to read online for free, via the link below.

Please be aware that as Issuu has a 5 document limit ( for free), I have doubled up on some works in each section, by themes & / or size.

Go to “Comics and Zines” page for more information, pics and creative bio. Or hit: https://issuu.com/hollyenglish