Interview with Tessar Lo, an Indonesian-Canadian modern-day artist

Summary

Tessarlo, an artist based in Toronto, shares his journey from Jakarta, Indonesia, to Canada, highlighting his experiences as an immigrant and the impact on his art. He reflects on his childhood, education in an art high school, and experiences in California's art scene. Tessarlo emphasizes Toronto's diversity, celebrating cultural differences, and how they enrich his artistic voice. Currently, he is working on a body of work exploring themes of refraction and perception, influenced by the pandemic. He invites viewers into his studio, showcasing his creative process and commitment to engaging with the art community.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Tessar is an artist based in Toronto, originally from Jakarta, Indonesia.
• 🌏 His family has Chinese roots, and they moved to Canada to provide better opportunities for his deaf sister.
• 🏙️ Toronto's diversity has positively influenced Tessar's artistic journey, allowing for cultural conversations through art.
• 📚 Tessar attended an art high school after being encouraged by a teacher, where he gained exposure to various art forms.
• 🎓 He pursued an illustration degree at Sheridan College, which provided valuable business practices and artistic training.
• 🌅 After college, Tessar worked as an illustrator and exhibited his personal work in galleries.
• 🌟 He spent time living and working in Los Angeles before returning to Toronto in 2009.
• 🖼️ His current work focuses on the theme of refraction, influenced by reflections during the pandemic.
• ✂️ Tessar also creates small drawings, collages, and book art objects, exploring the organization of found objects.
• 🗣️ He believes in the importance of sharing art within larger conversations and looks forward to studio visits.

Q & A

What prompted Tessar's family to move to Canada?

Tessar's family moved to Canada to seek better opportunities for her older sister, who was born deaf, as there were limited resources available for her in Indonesia.

At what age did Tessar move to Toronto, and how did she describe her childhood?

Tessar moved to Toronto at the age of four and described her childhood as happy, initially living in a lower-income immigration community before moving to the suburbs for safety.

How did Tessar become interested in art?

Tessar became interested in art through a family friend who encouraged her to draw, which led her to create comic book drawings.

What significant educational experience did Tessar have in high school?

In high school, Tessar was encouraged by a teacher to audition for an art high school, where she received a rich arts education, including art history and practical skills like painting and sculpting.

Where did Tessar pursue her higher education in the arts?

Tessar attended Sheridan College for a degree in illustration, where she learned important business practices relevant to the art world.

What motivated Tessar to move to California?

Tessar moved to California to show her work in galleries and to explore new opportunities in her artistic career.

How does Tessar describe her experience as an immigrant artist in Toronto?

Tessar describes her experience as positive, noting that Toronto is a diverse city where people are curious about different cultures and open to celebrating their differences.

What theme is Tessar currently exploring in her work?

Tessar is currently exploring the theme of refraction, focusing on how different perspectives influence our understanding of reality and information.

How did the pandemic affect Tessar's artistic process?

The pandemic provided Tessar with time to reflect on her experiences and deepen her artistic practice, allowing her to continue creating and exploring her ideas.

What does Tessar hope for the future of her art?

Tessar hopes to engage with audiences again through studio visits and emphasizes the importance of art being seen and experienced as part of larger conversations.