I maintain a creative practice to make space in my life to grow with the people I love.

Artist Bio

Jessica Tanto (they/them) is a Chinese-Indonesian artist and facilitator who creates playful, restorative experiences grounded in honesty and humility. Their practice draws on lived experiences in Java and Naarm, and training in art, psychology and movement. 

Jess is passionate about enabling artists to sustain an art practice that supports their health and wellbeing, and is currently studying Occupational Therapy to deepen this focus.

They specialise in making methods—collaborative tools shaped with communities—that help people notice patterns and try new ways of being together.

Some recent works include: Slow Walking Race, MEga Yoga, and Creative Critters. 

What currently brings Jess most joy is organising loose improvisation sessions with friends and studying Gamelan under Mas Yusak Gunawan.

Jessica is a recipient of the International Prince Claus Seed Awards (2021), Les Kossatz Memorial Award (2023), Trocadero Projects Award (2023), and the Melbourne Fringe Best in Words & Ideas Award (2024). Jess has been awarded residencies and development support from Signal (2023 & 2024), Testing Grounds (2022 & 2023), Blackbird Foundation (2023 & 2024), Connection Arts space (2021), and Gudskul (2018). With their Jakarta-based collective, Gudskul, they’ve participated in documenta fifteen (2022) and Jakarta Biennale (2022).

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