Formal Education

University Of South Australia - Bachelor of contemporary art- 2012

Adelaide central school of art -Associates degree- 2024- present.

Classes at; New York Academy of Art, Milan art institute.

Jesska Hannigan

Jess Hannigan is a South Australian artist and tattooist whose multidisciplinary practice bridges fine art, contemporary tattooing, and community-based creative work. Her painting practice explores mainly expressive interpretations of the Australian landscape, informed by personal narratives of loss, memory, and renewal. Following the passing of her mother, Hannigan returned to painting as a means of emotional reconstruction, using colour, gesture, and light to navigate themes of grief and reconnection.

Working primarily in oils, Hannigan’s landscapes and paintings are developed through both plein air studies and studio practice. Her work seeks to capture atmosphere and emotion rather than literal form, employing layered brushwork and tonal harmony to convey the psychological presence of place.

Formally trained with a Bachelor of Contemporary Art from the University of South Australia, Hannigan is currently undertaking further study at the Adelaide Central School of Art. She is also the founder and director of Paper Moon Arts Collective, a multidisciplinary studio that unites fine artists, tattooists, and emerging practitioners. Her work reflects an ongoing investigation into the relationship between art, identity, and environment — inviting viewers to engage with the restorative power of observation and the enduring beauty of the natural world.

"...To be honest, It's hard not to be inspired by our surroundings. I have been so fortunate to travel Australia with my little family and each time I am in awe of this ancient and living land. My ancestry links back to rural South Australia and growing up on large cattle stations myself It holds a special place for me.
Painting is Not only a way back to myself it's how I stay connected to that heritage; it’s where memory and place meet. Each work is a reflection of belonging — to land, to family, and to the quiet moments that shape who we are.”

Jess