Joan Antonio Balbarona, self taught artist, was born on March 8, 1977 in Hindang, Leyte. She studied Food Science and Technology at UP Los Baños. Joan has worked as a 3D animator and video editor, and now is a full-time artist. In 2013, she had the chance to study at the Art Students League of New York, under the tutelage of the well-known abstractionist Ronnie Landfield.

She was one of the finalists in the non-representational category in the 2017 GSIS national art competition for her abstract “Ang Pagtangis ng mga Ibong Pipit”. She was also a finalists in 2017 Metrobank Art and Design Excellence for her sculpture entitled “The Colony”.