From her childhood in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, to her university studies in Paris and New York, to several international projects and exhibitions, Tessa Makai brings a deep commitment to craftsmanship and storytelling.

Her work explores themes surrounding the natural world and the human body, with a clear emphasis on the beauty and intricacy of both. She examines life, death, community, and self reflection with an intimacy and earnestness that are immediately apparent. Through explorations in many different mediums, she has developed a creative identity that is tactile, sensuous, and reflective. She brings this to life in her experimentations with animation, illustration, and game design. In viewing Tessa’s work, we are gently confronted by what it means to be living: the harshness of reality is softened by earth-toned imagery, at once revealing her journey and asking us to reflect upon our own. From traditional methods like drawing, painting, and sculpture, to other art forms such as music and animation, Tessa brings a sensitive and thoughtful atmosphere to everything she does.

Tessa Makai (b. 2000, Oregon, USA) lives and works between Oregon, USA, New York, USA, and Paris, France.

Exhibitions and events include, A Seat at the Table, for Parsons Paris at La Chaufferie (Fondation Fiminco), Paris, France (2023); Bad Romance, group show at Silencio, Paris France (2023); We Sinphool Women, Chawkandi Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan, collaboration with artist Zahra Mansoor (2022); An Evening With Sultana’s Dream, South Asian Womxn’s Creative Collective, New York City, United States, collaboration with artist Zahra Mansoor (2021).

Illustration and fine arts commissions include, illustration work for Adam Pierce (2022);  several portraits for David Shannon (2019); MEGAKID album art (2019).

Publications and releases include, Cascade (book) compiled by Elliot Geller (published, 2021); Sasui: A Journey Of Love (video game) by creative team, Soft Gamez (released, 2021).

Recent design and tattoo commissions include, Joseph Anderson (2023); Mukami Mboche (2022); Maclean Salsbery (2022); Milo Verlick (2021); Joseph Anderson (2021); Siena Ohia (2020); Esme Cielo (2020); Aurora Trani (2020);  Siena Ohia (2019); Simon Leone (2019); Milo Verlick (2019).

Press includes, “Flowers and Femininity”, Dawn, online and printed newspaper, Karachi, Pakistan (2022); “An Interplay of Jasmine, Muslin, and South Asian Women”, Metropolitan, printed newspaper, Karachi, Pakistan (2022).

Grants and awards include, Student Research Award for project, We Sinphool Women, in collaboration with Zahra Mansoor, The New School, (2022); Dean’s Honor Symposium for project, Sasui: A Journey Of Love, as presented by team leader, Zahra Mansoor, The New School (2022).