I’m a Mexican-Australian artist and researcher based in Magandjin (Brisbane), Australia. My practice sits at the intersection of socially engaged art and healthcare.
My work focuses on storytelling, collaboration, and representation within care settings, particularly in aged care. My process-based practice uses multiple forms, including artist books, photography, papermaking, and performance. Through these forms, I explore how people can speak in their own terms within highly structured systems, and how art can create space for dialogue and exchange.
Alongside my artistic work, I have experience in service delivery and operations across aged care and children’s palliative care services, working with volunteers, staff, and families in complex multidisciplinary environments. I’m particularly attentive to how systems shape access, voice, and experience for families and staff, and to how everyday operational decisions can support care that is just, safe, and dignified in sensitive settings.
I also teach in the School of Art at Griffith University.
I live and work on the lands of the Turrbal and Jagera people. I acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the first healers and have been caring for sick ones, on Country, for over 60,000 years.
Photo taken by my friend Dr. Shehab Uddin
EDUCATION
2020–2025 – PhD (Creative Practice: Socially Engaged Art in Aged Care), Griffith University, Brisbane (submitted)
2017–2019 – Master of Visual Arts (Research), Queensland College of Art, Griffith University
2004–2007 – Bachelor of Arts (Equivalency), Universidad del Estado de Morelos, Mexico
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN HEALTH CONTEXTS
2020–2025 – Senior operational and leadership roles across aged care and children’s palliative care (Brisbane). Roles included Service Delivery Manager, Living Support Manager, Lifestyle Manager, and Volunteer Coordinator. Managed multidisciplinary teams across care, lifestyle, hospitality, administration, and volunteers; oversaw daily service readiness, admissions coordination, cross-team communication, compliance processes, and audit preparation; contributed to workforce planning, risk management, and operational systems within complex care environments.
ART FUNDING & COMMISSIONED WORK
2024 – Commission – Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), Brisbane
Project: Re-imagining the Workplace, year-long collaborative project with Okui Lala, Nasrikah, and eight caregivers for Asia Pacific Triennial 11 (APT11). Curated by Reuben Keehan.
Outcome: Live performance presented during APT11 opening weekend, Pelican Lounge, QAG.
2020–2023 – Scholarship – Australian Government RTP Stipend, Griffith University
Project: Creative Practice PhD in aged care supported through competitive national research funding.
Outcome: Production of artist publications, exhibitions, public presentations, and submission of written thesis.
2022 – Commission – Visual Studies Workshop (VSW), New York, USA
Project: I AM HERE Vol. I & II, developed through editorial and production partnership. Mentorship: Tate Shaw.
Outcome: Publication, printing, and international distribution of two artist books (Edition of 500).
2020 – Commission – Institute of Modern Art (IMA), Brisbane
Project: Making Art Work.
Outcome: Exhibition and feature in IMA public program publication.
2016 – Fellowship – Siganto Foundation Artists’ Books Creative Fellowship, State Library of Queensland
Project: One-year supported residency including access to the Siganto Artists’ Books Archive and mentorship.
Outcome: Production and exhibition of the artist book Memorandum (Edition of 100).
2015 – Fellowship – FONCA Young Creators Program, Mexico
Project: Development of new body of documentary photography under national fellowship.
Outcome: Public exhibition, Museo Plaza Central, Pátzcuaro, Mexico. Mentors: Cristina Kahlo and Pablo Monasterio.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS (National & International)
2022 – PHOTO 2022 Photobook Award Show, Photography Studies College, Melbourne
2022 – Libris Award Exhibition, Artspace Mackay
2020 – Making Art Work, Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane
2020 – Joint Memory, Fotodok, Utrecht, Netherlands
2018 – How We See: Photobooks by Women, New York Public Library, USA
2018 – 50 Years of Artists’ Books 1968–2018, Arizona, USA
2017 – Arles Author Book Award Exhibition, Arles, France
2017 – INFOCUS Self-Published Photobooks, Phoenix Art Museum, USA
2016 – The Hinterland, Caloundra Regional Gallery, QLD
2013 – Of Another Time, Queensland Centre for Photography, Brisbane
SELECTED AWARDS
2022 – Shortlisted, Australian Photobook of the Year Award
2021 – Winner, Libris Award (Australian Artists’ Book Prize)
2020 – Commended, Best Independent Book, ABDA
2019 – Winner, Iain Turnbull Memorial Award
2017 – Winner, Best Artist Book Prize, AAANZ
2017 – Shortlisted, Book Award, Les Rencontres d’Arles, France
2016 – Shortlisted, Royal Photographic Society Photobook Award, UK
Invited Judge
2025 – Libris Award, Australian Artists’ Book Prize
2019 – AAANZ Best Artist Book Prize
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
State Library of Queensland; National Library of Australia; Australian Library of Art; Yale University; Centro de la Imagen (Mexico); Grahame Galleries.
PUBLICATIONS & CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
-Rieger, Sara. “I Am Here: An Interview with Ana Estrada de Isolbi.” PRAXIS: Openings, Praxis 1, 2023.
-Visual Studies Workshop Podcast. Season 2, Episode 4: Ana Paula Estrada in conversation with Tate Shaw. Visual Studies Workshop, New York, 2023.
-Estrada, A. (2021). “The Art of Making Book during Times of Social Distancing.” The Blue Notebook -Journal for Artists’ Books, Vol. 2, 32–41. (Refereed)
-Estrada, A. (2019). “Documenting Life Stories through Artists’ Books.” The Blue Notebook Journal for Artists’ Books, Vol. 1, 20–27. (Refereed)
-Estrada, A. (2017). “Memorandum: from Concept to Publication.” Journal of Artists’ Books (JAB), Issue 42, 12–14. (Refereed)
TEACHING (Selected)
2018–2026 – Sessional Tutor, Lecturer & Guest Lecturer, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University (Arts in Health, Print, Documentary Practice)
2019–2021 – Tutor, University of Queensland and QUT (Multimedia and Visual Communication)
CONFERENCE PRESENTATION (selected)
Impact Conference, Spain (2018)
Australian Historical Association Conference, ANU (2018)
ARLIS/ANZ Conference, Brisbane (2020)