Brenton E McKenna
Brenton is a young Indigenous artist and writer from Broome, in the far north of Western Australia. Ever since he can remember, Brenton has been passionate about art and telling stories. He first developed an interest in comic books and this style of drawing when he was very young.
Since then, Brenton has been immersed in the world of comic art, cartooning and graphic novels. He is inspired by the multicultural history of his home town, and draws on Aboriginal and foreign mythologies in his stories.
Brenton studied visual arts for two years at Goulburn TAFE and in 2009 was one of twenty successful applicants to be awarded a highly sought after mentorship with the Australian Society of Authors.
Brenton has attended several art workshop / residencies which have generated much national interest over the past few years. He has also illustrated Living Alongside the Animals — Anangu Way (Wingfield, Austin, IAD Press, 2009).
After working with Indigenous publisher Magabala Books for several years, Brenton has now published his first graphic novel, Ubby’s Underdogs: The Legend of the Phoenix Dragon.
Ubby’s Underdogs (the trilogy) is Brenton’s biggest project yet — his first full-length graphic novel. The story is greatly influenced by Brenton’s childhood in Broome and his Aboriginal and Malay heritage. The main character, Ubby, was inspired by his grandmother, a strong Aboriginal woman who knew how to look after herself.
Brenton lives in Broome with his partner and three young children.