Tamarra resides and works in Yogyakarta. As an artist, Tamarra uses various media for Tamarra’s artwork such as performances and textiles. Tamarra participates in a number of artistic activities in Indonesia and abroad. For example, Tamarra was involved in M/Others and Future Humans at Testing Ground, Melbourne (2018); Unsung Museum in Yogyakarta, Jakarta, and Bandung (2016-2017); and Ancient MSG at Gertrude Glasshouse, Melbourne (2015). Tamarra actively joins many researches and projects, especially those focusing on transgender issues. In 2019, Tamarra conducted a collaborative study with Emma Franklin regarding Bissu community in South Sulawesi. Tamarra also developed We Are Human, a project involving a community of street children and transgenders. We Are Human commences diverse activities such as workshop on handicrafts and initiating a transgender vocal group called Amuba.
For the last four years, Tamarra has been intensively conducting a study on Bissu community—a community consisted of spiritual leaders in the belief system of the traditional Bugis people in South Sulawesi. Bissu is one of the five genders existing within the belief of traditional Bugis people. However, instead of focusing on the gender system, Tamarra focuses on Tamarra’s experience—as the subject conducting the journey or pilgrimage. In other words, Tamarra positions Tamarra’s self as the individual conducting the “spiritual journey” to meet Bissu community. Tamarra will display an artwork illustrating the spiritual life of Bissu community and the diverse issues they face, both in the past and the present.
Photo source: facebook.com/multiculturalartsvic
