MFA in Screenwriting 2024 | The David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts, MIU. Fairfield, IA
BFA in Fine Art | Painting, Sculpture, Video Art. CalArts. Valencia, CA
Raised in LA and nurtured by a firm emphasis on academics, Joanna was on track to be a biologist, but swiftly pivoted after discovering a personally moving, devastating cinematic work. That moment sparked a curiosity and quest for true art — raw, expressive, and real. Dedicated to identifying the unique essence of an idea, she believes in finding new life in the familiar and implementing the most effective way to showcase those concepts.
She blends aspects of her early background in math and science with her passions for movies, history, and graphic design. The heart of her multi-disciplinary visual language involves painting, sculpture, and video art, but ways to tell new stories evolve and unlock with each new discovery. Several series explore the functions of memory, time, technology, and desire.
Her childhood was a shining example of strength and sacrifice through life with her hard-working immigrant parents and special needs sister, who she adores deeply. As a writer, she aims to bridge the gap between the unique perspective her upbringing has shaped and the hundreds of hours spent consuming commercialized American pop-culture as a young child.
After four transformative years in New York City, Joanna currently lives and works in Los Angeles.