JESSICA TU

Displayed at Brunswick Street Gallery

S.O.S my mum's glitching, 2018

Pencil on paper

30 x 30 cm

This was a brief series I completed during my internship with KOTO Foundation, a not-for-profit social enterprise that aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged youth in Vietnam by providing 2 year hospitality training programs. 

These drawings were included in a pamphlet for an event held in Hong Kong, with the objective to raise enough money to support these 8 remaining trainees. 

​

To find more information about KOTO, visit www.koto.com.au

I know this isn't classified as a 'professional' achievement, but this is nonetheless an achievement to me. 3 years of art school flew by way too quickly and I feel like I've only scratched the surface, with so much left for me to learn and grow from. Words can't explain how grateful I am for this experience. I was able to build on my own artistic abilities and grow personally. I am now more confident and comfortable in my own skin, have a clearer vision of where my interests lie, be more articulate with my thoughts and feelings, and learn to question more. 

My final graduate project, Dear Mother, displayed all that I have learnt through my experience at university, and allowed me to show off how refined my drawing skills have become. 

Even though I am now a visual arts graduate, my learning only begins here. Despite now lacking the motivation without a structure and consistent feedback that I would get at university, I want to continue what I've been doing. That is, to continue refining my artistic skills, be open to question, challenge and share thoughts and opinions. 

Exhibited at Monash Gallery of Art in 2015 as part of the TOPshots exhibition for selected photomedia art by 2014 VCE students.

​

Model and Outfit: Georgia Simm

Dream Ride is an annual fundraising event that includes a 55km bike riding route through Vietnam's countryside. 3 drawings were created focusing on family, adventure and teamwork for the Dream Ride posters.

​

To find more information about KOTO, visit www.koto.com.au

"Subtitled captures this loss of meaning and offers a platform for artists of the Asian Australian diaspora to tell their own narratives without the imperative to explain or translate... Jessica Tu begins by contemplating the methods with which trauma is articulated through generations through this lens of filial piety through her ‘Dear Mother’, a letter and a series of drawings. The unsent letter that she addresses to her mother acts as a validation for the pain that she has experienced and by articulating these pains, she allows herself to heal as well as becoming a voice for others. This trauma is not unique and for many Asian cultures, this attitude is ingrained into the social fabric and becomes the foundation for other deeply held attitudes and beliefs.
...Subtitled’s mission is two fold; to represent the Asian Australian arts community and concurrently to build the Asian Australian arts community."

Angel Hood is a Melbourne based brand run by a collective of female artists who use this space to share their works.

​

2016 was the year of creation. The whole purpose of Angel Hood was to create a space that motivated us to create more and allow for a platform to show that. My main role in Angel Hood is photography, social media, and hand made clothing.