Jessie Pangas

Jessie Pangas is a contemporary artist based in North West Tasmania who uses installation and archival based processes to explore place and presence in the neglected fringes of domestic and communal space. Through studio and community based projects and events she seeks to cultivate a quieter, slower presence making room for forgotten meanings and unheard voices.

“My perspective has been cultivated by an uncommon upbringing.”

- Jessie Pangas

Born in Tasmania Jessie has spent most of her life elsewhere, completing high school in India before returning to Australia to study Anthropology and Development at the University of Melbourne.

“As a socially-engaged artist, deep listening is essential to my practice. I seek to be both an expert and a learner and invite others to do the same.”

- Jessie Pangas

Her early career was spent living and working in the margins, including 4 years in a broad acre housing commission suburb in Tasmania and 3 years in a remote Indigenous community in North East Arnhem Land. This diverse experience remains a formational influence in her artistic practice. But it was not until returning to Tasmania five years ago that Pangas began to pursue art professionally, graduating from the University of Tasmania's Bachelor of Contemporary Art program with first class Honours in 2018.

“Five years ago I came full circle, back to the family farm, where I continue to cultivate my arts practice and be surprised by the richness of reconnecting with my own place and cultural history.”

- Jessie Pangas

During that time she has exhibited in a number exhibitions including Right Here Now, Regional Arts Australia’s National Showcase in the Museum of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House, as well as in collaborative community projects including the co-creation of Here She Is, a Ten Days on the Island 2019 festival project. Currently Jessie is working on the follow up project to this Here We Are as well as with Urban Theatre Project's Shorewell Present … Dear Friend.