For Bren Donnellan, storytelling is what helps the world make sense. While growing up as a young queer person, Bren was forced to acknowledge that the fantasy of how the world should work didn’t seem to include people like them. In the confusion, it became second-nature to seek comfort and clarity in the stories of those who had lived their lives authentically despite similar obstacles.
As a writer, researcher, and multidisciplinary artist living on Gadigal land, Bren has prioritised creating work which connects and empowers queer people. Since graduating from UNSW in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Fine Arts, they have joined the Museums and Galleries of NSW team and the curatorial team at Qtopia. They continue to use their skills to learn from others, build a community, and forge their own path ahead.