Healing power of art: Dr Ally Zlatar named UniSQ Young Alumnus of the Year

“Art is not just a reflection of the world, but a tool to change it.”

At 12, Ally Zlatar was in the fight of her life against anorexia, searching for even a flicker of light to guide her out of the darkness.

Sixteen years later, that light shines brightly.

At just 28, she has achieved more than many do in a lifetime, transforming her personal struggle into a global mission of hope, healing and advocacy.

When she lacked the words to explain what she was going through, art became her language. It gave her space to think and the strength to start her recovery.

In 2017, she channelled her experience into The Starving Artist, an initiative which uses creative voices to advocate for people living with eating disorders and to drive systemic reform.

Building on its success, she went on to establish The Starving Artist Scholarship Fund to help people access inpatient treatment for eating disorders.

She has since curated and delivered more than 30 international exhibitions across 20+ countries, reaching over 100,000 people worldwide.

Her humanitarian work and focus on art-based healing have earned her international accolades – including The Princess Diana Legacy Award, presented by Prince William, The Prince of Wales.

In 2023, she celebrated years of hard work and perseverance by graduating from the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) with a Doctor of Creative Arts.

Her research study, The Starving Artist: Understanding the Significance of Eating Disorders Through Contemporary Art, has resonated globally and continues to inspire her work today.

Now, Dr Ally Zlatar has been honoured as the Young Alumnus of the Year at UniSQ’s 2025 Alumni Awards, adding another achievement to an already extraordinary career.

Creativity has always been her light and continues to lead the way.

She recently opened up about her incredible journey and how her experiences drive her to make a difference.

Her beginning

“Growing up, I suffered from a severe eating disorder for over 10 years. It massively affected my health, leaving me with several chronic illnesses.”

“For such a long time, I thought if I was thinner, I would be happier.”

“My traditional Eastern European family didn't understand the depths of mental illness, and medical practitioners saw a diagnosis. They didn't see the person suffering behind the disease.”

“I found my artistic voice was a way to challenge the current perceptions and provide a unique perspective into the grim reality of living in an unwell body. While the medical field provides a lot of insight into the critical diagnosis of eating disorders, it can neglect human experiences, such as the ‘feeling of being anorexic’.”

“For me, art wasn’t just an outlet. It was a way for me to express myself when I didn’t have the words to do so.”

Her inspiration

“I started The Starving Artist to help people no longer suffer in silence.”

“Lacking the tools to explain or get proper support for my struggles, I wanted to create a space and platform where creative arts could engage people with global issues through their potency.”

“I was only able to start my recovery, reach people, and understand myself better through art.”

“It became an exploratory space that allowed people to engage with the art as the branching point to dive into the alternative modalities for connection.”

“Sometimes, after workshops, talks, and exhibitions, people share how much the work has impacted them and how, for once, they felt truly understood.”

“Having the ability to provide support is all I could ever want.”

Her path

“I was first drawn to UniSQ’s Doctor of Creative Arts because of the program’s inclusivity and strong interdisciplinary approach.”

“I was really excited about its openness to research that combines the creative, academic and activist realms.”

“My supervisors, Associate Professor Beata Batorowicz, Professor Amy Mullens and Dr Carol du Plessis, genuinely believed in the power of arts research to effect real-world change.”

“Since graduating, my path has combined my research and creative practice with The Starving Artist.”

“My work engages contemporary art’s ability to represent the experiential and emotionally charged facets of artists living with an eating disorder.”

"I use first-hand artistic representations to provide insights into the subjective, emotive, and thinking processes that lie beneath the experience of the illness.”

“Through my visual representations, I hope to raise greater social awareness of eating disorders as a mental health issue, rather than focusing on physical ‘body’ symptoms of the disease.”

“My work has taken me around the world, collaborating with communities affected by displacement, illness and injustice.”

Her future

“The next few years will be focused on my Leverhulme Research Fellowship at the University of Teesside, where I’ll be writing a book, titled The Philosophy of Thin, and developing a series of artworks exploring eating disorders through a philosophical lens.”

“I’m extremely excited to focus on the intersection of art and medical ethics, while continuing to lecture and engage with global advocacy networks.”

“I’m also expanding Voices Above Water, a global art project addressing climate migration, and continuing to grow The Starving Artist network.”

Her legacy

“I firmly believe that art gives voice to people who are neglected.”

“My greatest passion is helping people understand that they don't have to suffer alone, no matter the circumstances.”

“Whether it be through my art, research or community engagement, we need to be able to have a global community of care and connection.”

“Creating impact requires genuine communication, and art has so much power to facilitate that when harnessed correctly.”

“We all know that real change takes time; so find your community, your co-dreamers. And don’t shy away from being vulnerable and authentic, because that’s where the magic happens.”

Her latest accolade

“It’s an incredible honour to be recognised as UniSQ’s 2025 Young Alumnus of the Year.”

“It really represents a full-circle moment, from the deeply personal research I undertook during my Doctorate, to seeing that work recognised on a global stage.”

“It also validates the idea that art and advocacy can truly intersect to create systemic change.”

“Overall, though, it’s just amazing to be recognised at this level within the talented and remarkable UniSQ community.”

“I absolutely loved my time at UniSQ. I was given an incredible platform to express my creative voice and do what I love the most: engage the arts with the community.”

Dr Ally Zlatar was one of three graduates recognised in this year’s UniSQ Alumni Awards.

Prominent agribusiness innovator Mac Drysdale received the Alumnus of the Year and Alumnus Award for Leadership & Professional Excellence awards. Ipswich Jets rugby league player Nikki Cox claimed the Alumnus Award for Community Impact.