Item Information

ISBN: 9781761380594
Blackgum Item Code: PENG1096
Title: The Islands Where We Left Our Ancestors
Author: Joshua Santospirito
Imprint: Scribe
RRP: $39.99
More information:
The beautifully hand-drawn true story of artist Joshua Santospirito's visit to the Aeolian Islands of Italy with his parents to seek out past connections and family roots.

Joshua and his father hope to locate the burial place of Joshua's great-great-grandfather on the island of Salina. But it's not always so easy to find the past you're looking for, nor to travel with your parents.

As Joshua learns more about the sun-drenched volcanic archipelago, its people, and their history, he also explores the mysteries of family - and the magic of creating your own place in the world.

This is a tale of migration and return, of the rise to stardom of actress Ingrid Bergman, of the cheeky wind god Aeolus, of ancestry, place, and belonging, and of so much more. Told from Joshua's unique and charming perspective, there is something here for everyone.
Joshua (he/him) is a graphic novelist, multimedia artist and organic veggie farmer living in nipaluna, lutruwita (Tasmania). His expansive art practice, which includes painting, performance, music, sound and comics, often focuses on identity and modern Australia.

Joshua's writing, comics and illustrations have appeared in The Monthly, Island Magazine, Meanjin and The Suburban Review. He is the creator of two previous graphic novels- The Long Weekend in Alice Springs (2013) adapted from the writing of Craig San Roque and Swallows Part One (2015) about Joshua's family's migration story in the city of Melbourne.

He is one half of the beloved Tasmanian experimental soundscaping band Bing/Santospirito. Audiovisual performances created by Josh have featured at major festivals across Australia and he has toured as a solo guitarist across Europe.

In his art practice he is represented by Penny Contemporary gallery in nipaluna.