Yessiow is a mural artist and illustrator who grew up in Bali, Indonesia. With Javanese roots and a deep connection to Balinese culture, she was immersed in a blend of traditions from an early age. This dual heritage has shaped her artistic identity, influencing the patterns, colors, and storytelling elements in her work. She has been developing her skills and career as a mural artist since 2013. In 2014, she pursued graphic design studies at Telkom University in Bandung, Indonesia, graduating in 2018.
After graduation, Yessiow and her partner Stijn set out on a journey to explore the world, driven by curiosity rather than artistic pursuits. However, in the middle of their nomadic life, they found themselves unexpectedly staying in India for nearly two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, Yessiow immersed herself in painting on the streets, deepening her connection to public art. It was in India that she had the opportunity to paint her first four-story mural—an experience that solidified her passion for working on large-scale walls. Since then, she and her partner have continued to travel the world, not just to explore, but to seek out new places to paint and connect with communities through art.
Her work is heavily influenced by her love of ancient Greek pottery, natural objects, and the intricate patterns of both Balinese and Javanese textiles. The vibrant colors in her work reflect the sunny, energetic environment she grew up in, while the pot shapes she incorporates symbolize her comfort zone—a visual storytelling tool that allows her to narrate the stories of the communities she collaborates with.
She often explores themes of diversity and women’s empowerment, particularly through the celebration of different skin tones. She finds joy in seeing her murals become part of the daily lives of local communities and is deeply engaged in the activities of the people who interact with her art.
In 2021, Yessiow launched Street Art Calls, a platform providing global open-call information to help fellow street artists gain international recognition and opportunities.
In early 2023, she co-founded Yayasan Kolaborasi Dunia Tangi, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting public art. The foundation organized the Tangi Street Art Festival, bringing together local and international artists to transform urban spaces in Bali. The festival captured the essence of Bali's thriving street art scene, fostering dialogue between artists and the public while showcasing art as a powerful tool for cultural exchange, personal expression, and community connection.
✷ Festivals and Interventions
2024
Mural Town Konohana Intervention Osaka, Japan
Hanasaka Mural Project Osaka, Japan
Look Up Street Art Festival Portsmouth, England
Urban Pictus Festival Brno, Czech Republic
Urban Act Mural Intervention Piraeus, Greece
DUK Festival Čačak, Serbia
Mural Town Konohana Intervention Osaka, Japan
Hanasaka Mural Project Osaka, Japan
Look Up Street Art Festival Portsmouth, England
Urban Pictus Festival Brno, Czech Republic
Urban Act Mural Intervention Piraeus, Greece
DUK Festival Čačak, Serbia
2023
Blank Walls Studio Mural Intervention Perth, Australia
Luce Art Festival San Pietro Magisano, Italy
Calle Libre Street Art Festival Vienna, Austria
Urban Act Mural Intervention Athens, Greece
Saladina Street Art Festival Mallorca, Spain
Tangi Street Art Festival Bali, Indonesia
Blank Walls Studio Mural Intervention Perth, Australia
Luce Art Festival San Pietro Magisano, Italy
Calle Libre Street Art Festival Vienna, Austria
Urban Act Mural Intervention Athens, Greece
Saladina Street Art Festival Mallorca, Spain
Tangi Street Art Festival Bali, Indonesia
2022
Baladk Street Art Festival Amman, Jordan
B-Murals Street Art Intervention Barcelona, Spain
Vyronas Street Art Festival Athens, Greece
ibug Street Art Festival Flöha, Germany
All About Things Intervention Leuven, Belgium
International Meeting of Styles Karanganyar, Indonesia
International Public Art Festival Cape Town, South Africa
Baladk Street Art Festival Amman, Jordan
B-Murals Street Art Intervention Barcelona, Spain
Vyronas Street Art Festival Athens, Greece
ibug Street Art Festival Flöha, Germany
All About Things Intervention Leuven, Belgium
International Meeting of Styles Karanganyar, Indonesia
International Public Art Festival Cape Town, South Africa
2021
Stabia Street Art Festival Castellamare di Stabia, Italy
Pompei Street Art Festival Pompei, Italy
Kannagi Street Art Festival - St+Art Chennai, India
Stabia Street Art Festival Castellamare di Stabia, Italy
Pompei Street Art Festival Pompei, Italy
Kannagi Street Art Festival - St+Art Chennai, India
2019
Kaalo 101 Art Intervention Kathmandu, Nepal
Kaalo 101 Art Intervention Kathmandu, Nepal
2018
Rurung Gallery Mural Festival Bali, Indonesia
On Off Festival Jakarta, Indonesia
Rurung Gallery Mural Festival Bali, Indonesia
On Off Festival Jakarta, Indonesia
2017
BeKraf Mural Festival Bandung, Indonesia
BeKraf Mural Festival Bandung, Indonesia
✷ Solo Exhibitions:
2024 Ubud Food Festival - A Solo Exhibition by Yessiow Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
2023 Between The Handles Perth, Australia
✷ Group Exhibitions:
2025
Risopresso (Qualita Company) Jakarta, Indonesia
Risopresso (Qualita Company) Jakarta, Indonesia
2024
Tatar (Srisasanti Gallery) 2024 Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Comm:unity A female street art exhibition (Gallerie Gerald Hartinger) Vienna, Austria
Risograff (Qualita Company) Jakarta, Indonesia
Kartini Nyeni Senyawa+ Jakarta Indonesia
Tatar (Srisasanti Gallery) 2024 Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Comm:unity A female street art exhibition (Gallerie Gerald Hartinger) Vienna, Austria
Risograff (Qualita Company) Jakarta, Indonesia
Kartini Nyeni Senyawa+ Jakarta Indonesia
2023
Bhineka Tunggal Ika Collective Exhibition Jakarta, Indonesia
Tangi SAF Collective Exhibition Bali, Indonesia
Bhineka Tunggal Ika Collective Exhibition Jakarta, Indonesia
Tangi SAF Collective Exhibition Bali, Indonesia
2022
Kopi Togetherness, Museum National Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia
2019
Utusan Sosial Exhibition Bali, Indonesia
Arc Of Bali Bali, Indonesia
Utusan Sosial Exhibition Bali, Indonesia
Arc Of Bali Bali, Indonesia
2018
Equinox Exhibition Bristol, England
DKV Act Surakarta, Indonesia
All The Small Things 2 Jakarta, Indonesia
Equinox Exhibition Bristol, England
DKV Act Surakarta, Indonesia
All The Small Things 2 Jakarta, Indonesia
2017
BeKraf Fest Exhibition Bandung, Indonesia
All The Small Things Jakarta, Indonesia
Kaya Kayu Exhibition Bandung, Indonesia
Redbull Doodle Art Exhibition Jakarta, Indonesia
BeKraf Fest Exhibition Bandung, Indonesia
All The Small Things Jakarta, Indonesia
Kaya Kayu Exhibition Bandung, Indonesia
Redbull Doodle Art Exhibition Jakarta, Indonesia
2016
Eggshibition Jakarta, Indonesia
Lupa Rupa Exhibition Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Art Space Exhibition Jakarta, Indonesia
Eggshibition Jakarta, Indonesia
Lupa Rupa Exhibition Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Art Space Exhibition Jakarta, Indonesia
✷ Public Speaking & Conferences:
2024 - Speaker, Idea Fest – Jakarta, Indonesia
“From Street Art to Global Stage”
Spoke on themes of diversity, body positivity, and global recognition of Indonesian street art, sharing insights into fostering cultural exchange and elevating the local street art scene to an international audience.
“From Street Art to Global Stage”
Spoke on themes of diversity, body positivity, and global recognition of Indonesian street art, sharing insights into fostering cultural exchange and elevating the local street art scene to an international audience.
Press:
✷ 2024
Forbes 30 under 30 / Australian Broadcasting Channel / Grafis Masa Kini / SWA News / Bentara Budaya Bali / Zoomers Serbia / Forbes Serbia / Bale Bengong Bali / Blesk Czech Republic
✷ 2023
USS Feed 50 / Proud Project / Froyonion / Liputan6 / Ladiestory / DAAI TV / Tribun News Bali / Hypebeast / Jakarta Globe ID
Kemenparekraf RI / Kreavi / Female Daily / Suara Merdeka Jakarta / Street Art Unearthed Podcast / Media Indonesia / Nara Times / Athens Voice / Het Nieuwsblad / Rob TV Belgium
✷ 2021
✷ 2017 - 2020
Girls Club Asia 2020 / Kumparan News 2018 / Shake Bristol Magazine 2018 / Instagram Press 2017
✷ 2025 Founder of Far East Mural @Fareastmural
✷ 2024 Co-Founder of Yayasan Kolaborasi Dunia Tangi
✷ 2023 Co-Founder of Tangi Street Art Festival @Tangistreetartfest
✷ 2021 Founder & Editor of Street Art Calls @streetartcalls
✷ 2012 Founder of Full Of Doodle Art Community Indonesia
Selected clients:
Samsung Indonesia, Starbucks, Hydroflask, Excelso Coffee, Cantik Citra, Herschel, Design Anthology, Meta, Teh Botol Sosro, Astra, Fore Coffee, Traveloka, Meiji, Museum Nasional Indonesia, All About Things, International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network, Johnson & Johnson, Neutrogena, Hyatt Regency Bali, Prambors Indonesia, Nescafe Indonesia, etc.