ANNA BARNES

Founder of Art Food Culture

Artist. Chef. Anthropologist.
Long-time creative traveller across Asia.

PRACTICE

I design and host slow, creative journeys through art, food, and culture.

My work exists at the intersection of lived experience and creative practice — where making, observing, tasting, and connecting become a way of understanding place.

I have spent many years travelling and working across Asia, developing long-term relationships with people, food cultures, and creative communities.

These journeys are not tourism.
They are structured encounters with everyday life.

APPROACH

I believe travel becomes meaningful when it is guided with care.

When you feel confident enough to step beyond familiarity —
to sit in local spaces, share meals, and move through daily life with ease.

We travel slowly.
We stay within one region.
We build understanding over time.

Art, food, and culture are not separate experiences — they are how we engage with place.

HOW WE WORK

These are small group journeys designed for depth.

We move through local life — markets, homes, kitchens, streets, landscapes, and conversations.

Creative practice is present, but not instructed.
It is held gently as space for reflection, observation, and personal work.

We are curious travellers.
We are open to learning.
We are willing to step slightly outside comfort, with care and intention.

EXPERIENCE

Since 2017, I have been designing and hosting creative experiences across Australia and Asia.

This includes:

• Art, food, and culture journeys

• Creative workshops and retreats

• Culinary demonstrations and cooking classes

• Corporate food and creative events

• The Artist’s Way group facilitation

Previously, I worked for over 25 years in professional kitchens and hospitality, including Executive Chef of an award-winning Sydney restaurant.

I also founded and ran Fiasco and Debacle, an artisan café cake business in Sydney.

EDUCATION

Master of Design Science (Digital Media) — The University of Sydney
Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts & Social Anthropology) — The University of Sydney
Dean’s Honour Award — The University of Sydney

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
Food Safety Certification

CREATIVE PRACTICE

My work spans multiple disciplines:

Artist
Chef
Illustrator (food, markets, recipes, urban life)
Travel journaller
Photographer
Ethnographic filmmaker
Organic baker
Sustainable toy maker
Creative facilitator

I also teach travel sketching and nature journalling across Australia and Asia.

NOTE

I am also a mother and live in Sydney, Australia.

My work is shaped by curiosity, humour, sensitivity, and a lifelong engagement with culture and human experience.

SELECTED PLATFORMS

@annasartfoodculture
@artfoodculturenature
@sydneytravelsketching
@annamariebarnesbakes
@artfoodculturephotos
@annabarnesstories