Founded in 2022 and spanning across both Sydney and Melbourne, An.Other Collective is an ace art collective that consists of talented Muslim women exploring the intersection of faith, culture and identity through workshops, events and other creative activities open to the public – which we think is pretty groovy.

Most recently, the collective has been focusing its creative energy towards driving up support for Palestine, hoping to transform feelings of united grief into meaningful action. We sat down with a few of An.Other Collective’s members to chat all about what this community means to them and how art brought them together.

MAYY ABULJEBAIN is a Palestinian designer and illustrator with a penchant for bright and bold visuals that she describes as “kitschy coolness.”When did you realise you wanted to be an artist? I was fresh out of university, facing this sense of uncertainty about what it was that I wanted to do with my life! That’s when I started MayyMakes – a space where I could explore my creative expression and get in tune with myself as an artist.

When did you first join An.Other Collective? What does this collective mean to you? I joined the collective in early 2022. For me, this collective is a sisterhood focused on empowering one another and showering each other with warmth, support and understanding. It’s all about growing together – when one of us blooms, we all bloom.

The watermelon has become a symbol of Palestine and its decades-long struggle for freedom. What does this symbol mean to you, and how do you feel about the watermelon becoming an icon of resistance? I feel it’s important to not just focus on the symbols alone – it’s not about the watermelon, but who and what it represents. When I first read about the history of how the watermelon became a symbol of Palestinian resistance against ethnic cleansing, what stood out for me was the Palestinians’ creativity in insisting on their existence, proving there wasn’t a single thing that was going to get in the way of their fight for freedom – which I think is pretty powerful.

Social causes not only play a key feature in the collective’s art, but you all also organise exhibitions, rallies, charity events and more. What has been your favourite event and why? The Rides for Palestine held across Melbourne and Sydney are a favourite for me.

What do you hope people get out of your art? I aim to create work that’s uplifting to the senses and invites people’s childlike imagination, and I hope that people feel the excitement that I feel when I’m creating these whimsical combinations of images!

WASIELAH NOORSJAMSI is a designer, crafter, photographer and all-around creative. You can peep her ace homewares over here.When did you realise you wanted to be an artist? I discovered my creative instincts early on, though uncertain about embracing the title 'artist' due to imposter syndrome. However, as I've matured, I've come to embrace my identity as a multidisciplinary experimental artist, recognizing that creativity knows no bounds.

When did you first join An.Other Collective? What does this collective mean to you? I co-founded the collective alongside Vina Purwantoro. For me, the collective embodies a profound sense of community, sisterhood, support, and creative expression.

Reflecting on my journey, I realise how much I would have benefited from such a supportive environment growing up, which could have strengthened my creative identity much earlier in life. Hence, my goal is to cultivate a space specifically for creative Muslim women who face similar struggles.

Social causes not only play a key feature in the collective’s art, but you all also organise exhibitions, rallies, charity events and more. What has been your favourite event and why? My favourite event has been the ongoing series called Resist to Exist. The second instalment was particularly special as I curated a photography segment, bringing together film photographers from around the world who have been documenting protests in their cities. I've questioned the purpose of creating something that doesn't reflect current realities. Resist to Exist has provided a way to bring communities together.

What do you hope people get out of your art? I hope my art encourages a deeper understanding of other worldviews and the world around them.

VINA PURWANTORO is an artist, curator and co-founder of An.Other Collective.When did you realise you wanted to be an artist? I have always used art as a means to express a feeling, learning or thought. Becoming an artist almost came as a necessity for me, as I found it one of the authentic ways to communicate with myself and others. 

When did you first join An.Other Collective? What does this collective mean to you? To me, it is family and community. We look out for each other as women and love to learn and create from and with one another. This representation gives me the courage to give things a go, raise my voice and be proud to be a Muslim.

The watermelon has become a symbol of Palestine and its decades-long struggle for freedom. What does this symbol mean to you, and how do you feel about the watermelon becoming an icon of resistance? The watermelon icon, to me, means standing in solidarity with Palestinians and all First Nations people, who have been oppressed and exploited by systems of colonialism, capitalism and imperialism. 

Social causes not only play a key feature in the collective’s art, but you all also organise exhibitions, rallies, charity events and more. What has been your favourite event and why? Our Resist to Exist programs we developed with the intent to amplify the voices and stand in solidarity with communities, cultures and people who have borne the brunt of colonial violence and its reductive misconceptions and dehumanisation of the ‘other.’ 

What do you hope people will get out of your art? Understanding the ‘other’ and being inspired to sit and feel amongst the uncomfortable. I prefer people view my art as ‘ugly’ rather than something beautiful. 

MEDINA SIREGAR is a visual designer based in Melbourne. She incorporates text, colours and different mediums into her bold art.When did you realise you wanted to be an artist? I’ve always been fond of making things. Form, colours and shape were things that I’d notice around me before anything else. The older I got, the more I realised that there was something in creating things for the visual that was fulfilling. 

When did you first join An.Other Collective? What does this collective mean to you? I don’t remember the date, but it was maybe two years ago. I think the most important part about being in the collective is that I have a space to belong and that I can foster relationships with like-minded people. It’s an amazing group of people and I am so grateful for meeting every single one of them.  

The watermelon has become a symbol of Palestine and its decades-long struggle for freedom. What does this symbol mean to you, and how do you feel about the watermelon becoming an icon of resistance? I love it. I love how it appears harmless but holds so much context and power.

Social causes not only play a key feature in the collective’s art, but you all also organise exhibitions, rallies, charity events and more. What has been your favourite event and why? There was an event we were invited to as a collective in Melbourne, where we gathered to create posters for Palestine. It was a casual thing, nothing crazy. We hand-drew posters; these were then printed through a riso printer that a few designers who were involved owned. This collaboration produced lots of posters.

Then, these posters that we didn’t think much about other than works we wanted to use ourselves for protests, were submitted in an art sale with proceeds going directly to Palestine. These were sold for hundreds of dollars. That was crazy and it made me realise that we had the power to help the resistance as a collective through our art even if we didn’t think much of it before.  

What do you hope people will get out of your art? To enjoy it, in whatever way that is for the person. For it to be pleasing to the eye, for it to bring communities together or for it to make people think a little harder, any of those are a win for me.

FADILAH MAHMUD is a Sydney-based digital artist, illustrator and podcaster producer who is “still figuring out” more creative skills. 

When did you realise you wanted to be an artist? Growing up, I loved films so I studied film and digital art. I developed an interest in moving images, and I loved the idea of creating something in a medium that could evolve and develop over time. But I've always had a love for illustration. I think drawing has always been at the core of my work. 

When did you first join An.Other Collective? What does this collective mean to you? I was lucky enough to have joined this amazing team from its inception almost two years ago now. The collective has opened my world to so many different ways of creating and reminded me of the joy of making art and being able to share it with my community.

The watermelon has become a symbol of Palestine and its decades-long struggle for freedom. What does this symbol mean to you, and how do you feel about the watermelon becoming an icon of resistance? Imagery has become such a powerful tool in a world where there is so much noise. I think the significance of the watermelon is a true testament to the sheer strength of the Palestinian people and the movement. It's a symbol that people will remember 100 years from now.

Social causes not only play a key feature in the collective’s art, but you all also organise exhibitions, rallies, charity events and more. What has been your favourite event and why? We've been a part of a couple of film screenings, and I think it's so beautiful to be able to not only share these amazing bodies of work but to celebrate the talent within the community and hold space for those artists. That's the heart of who we are as a collective.

What do you hope people will get out of your art? I hope to tell the story of the oppressed and the marginalised. I want to tell stories of their joy, sadness, their history and their culture so people don't forget about them. 

MAJDINA WIDODO is an Indonesian-Australian digital designer, who loves to appreciate the small details of everyday life in her art.When did you realise you wanted to be an artist? I loved to draw fun posters for school events, but it never occurred to me that I could pursue it properly until I spontaneously dropped chemistry and picked up media and design in high school. I loved being able to express myself and communicate ideas visually, which led me to make it into a career!

When did you first join An.Other Collective? What does this collective mean to you? I joined at the start of 2023, and I loved that I had found my community of creatives who share similar values, culture, and backgrounds.

This collective also represents a space where creativity, community, and even activism intersect, which has empowered me to make meaningful contributions through my strengths and passions.

The watermelon has become a symbol of Palestine and its decades-long struggle for freedom. What does this symbol mean to you, and how do you feel about the watermelon becoming an icon of resistance? The watermelon represents resilience and resourcefulness. As someone who stands in solidarity with Palestinians, I recognise that symbols like the watermelon are significant in raising awareness, fostering solidarity, and advocating for justice on a global scale.

Social causes not only play a key feature in the collective’s art, but you all also organise exhibitions, rallies, charity events and more. What has been your favourite event and why? I really enjoyed our Henna and Shay event we held last year. It not only allowed me to get back into an old hobby of mine playing with henna, but it created an intimate space that brought together people from different backgrounds and communities.

What do you hope people will get out of your art? I hope I can evoke emotion, provoke thought, and invite viewers to see the world from different perspectives. Other than that, if someone walks away from my work thinking, “That was cool,” I am absolutely happy. 

HEBA MOUBARAK is a Melbourne-based illustrator with an affinity for pinks, blues, purples and a uniquely feminine aesthetic.When did you realise you wanted to be an artist? My creativity was a big part of my identity growing up, but it wasn’t how I defined myself until I reached 21. I noticed that Muslim women were rarely portrayed in the art world and though I admired all mediums of art, it was challenging to connect with a lot of artworks for this reason. My initial drive and passion stemmed from a pursuit of empowering Muslim women in a form that otherwise might have been unfamiliar territory for us. 

When did you first join An.Other Collective? What does this collective mean to you? I joined the collective a couple of years ago. After becoming a mother, I felt like I was losing my sense of self creatively, so I joined the collective to revive that aspect of my identity.

The watermelon has become a symbol of Palestine and its decades-long struggle for freedom. What does this symbol mean to you, and how do you feel about the watermelon becoming an icon of resistance? Whenever I see watermelon, I automatically think of Falastin. The people of Falastin never let anything or anyone stop them from resisting whether it’s through gathering in protest, gathering to celebrate love or gathering to help each other. I am inspired that they raised sweet slices of melon to make their voices heard, and now it’s a universal icon of resistance.

Social causes not only play a key feature in the collective’s art, but you all also organise exhibitions, rallies, charity events and more. What has been your favourite event and why? It’s honestly difficult to pinpoint one event but I think the Strokes for Solidarity because it was a mixture of creativity and activism, and both of these elements are powerful in making change.

What do you hope people will get out of your art? I hope to create a safe space that others can connect and interact with. 

FARHANA ISMAIL is a designer, researcher and visual communicator who bases her art on everyday life and stories.When did you realise you wanted to be an artist? I think the artistic streak has always been there. As a kid, I'd make paper dolls with my sister and meticulously draw Captain Underpants to stick up onto the wall. These days I’ve stopped trying to label the work I make. Whether it's Captain Underpants or a photography essay, it's all art to me! 

When did you first join An.Other Collective? What does this collective mean to you? I joined back when it started, March 2022. For me, the collective is a sisterhood of inspiring individuals who are all doing our own thing but all looking in the same direction. When we work together, we become something greater than ourselves. 

The watermelon has become a symbol of Palestine and its decades-long struggle for freedom. What does this symbol mean to you, and how do you feel about the watermelon becoming an icon of resistance? The history and symbolism of the watermelon is both inspiring and heartbreaking. What started as a way to bypass censorship has now been embraced as a symbol of freedom. I feel amazed and inspired by creative ways that people have historically found a way to speak their truth.  

Social causes not only play a key feature in the collective’s art, but you all also organise exhibitions, rallies, charity events and more. What has been your favourite event and why? A recent highlight was our collage workshop called Paper Portraits in collaboration with the Melbourne-based social enterprise Free to Feed. It was all about connection and listening to each other's stories. Although not related to a specific cause, I think this workshop reflected the world we need to create for ourselves during these difficult times.

What do you hope people will get out of your art? I hope that people look at it and see a piece of themselves, and perhaps feel less alone. 

DELLA INDRADI is an ace crafter and seamstress who loves all things textiles. 

When did you realise you wanted to be an artist? Growing up, I always loved making things and being creative, but I was also very academic and cycled through dreams of becoming pretty much anything except an artist, which always seemed out of reach. Through the collective I’ve been able to find an amazing community of artists and creatives who have all, in some way, shown me that it is possible.