Tessa Cam Rowe
Encyclopedia
Tessa Cam Rowe is a Filipino artist, auteur and entrepreneur. She is mostly known as being the head mistress (or "Head Nurse") of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Philippines, one of the hundred branches of the globally renowned Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School, founded by art model and illustrator, Molly Crabapple
.
, Philippines
. She is the only daughter of business man, Jose Cam and wife, Vivian. She is married to Cliff Rowe, who is also an artist.
Her career began in late 2002 when, after graduating with a degree in Economics
from the Ateneo de Davao University
, she discovered her niche in the realm of digital art
s. In 2003, she decided to move to Vancouver, Canada to pursue a degree in 3D Animation
& Visual Effects
at VFS
where she wrote, produced, and directed her first animated short film. It was also there that she met the man she would marry seven years later. In 2005, she returned to the Philippines to work for a small animation studio and has been involved in the local animation and film industry to this day.
to Zagreb
. Dr Sketchy's is, according to the New York Times, a "cross between a life drawing class and new-wave cabaret". Originally founded by the glorious Molly Crabapple
(who has drawn for and worked with Neil Gaiman
), the movement found its way to the Philippines through head nurse and branch director, Tessa Cam Rowe.
On New Year's Day
of 2011, Tessa was awarded the rights and license to open up a Dr. Sketchy branch in the Philippines. Her reason for bringing this alternative art movement to the country was "To break pre-conceived notions conservative filipinos have about art, nudity and the human form, burlesque, cabaret, performance art, tattoes, piercings, and everything that is a part of self-expression and individuality; to bring out appreciation of the true filipino gift".
She manages Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Philippines with her good friends Kim Liu, Michael Acosta, and KittyCat Cutler, and holds regular Dr. Sketchy sessions at the Amber Ultra Lounge, in Bonifacio Global City. Her Filipino branch has been up there with Molly Crabapple's favourite new Dr. Sketchy branches.
graduate, Carlos Celdran
for a progressive art session Forward Manila, top model/DJ duo, Ornusa Cadness (Day of the Loving Dead) and Mia Ayesa (Express Delivery); Philippine pole dancing champion and Pole Academy Philippines' very own burlesque
diva, Eisa Jocson (aka Lady S.); and alternative art model, Dear Prudence.
Rowe is also known to collaborate with the Sipat Lawin Ensemble, a Philippine-based theatre ensemble known for their 'site-specific' and barrier-breaking performances.
Molly Crabapple
Molly Crabapple is an American artist, author and entrepreneur.The AP Wire once compared her work to "limerick shared amongst good company in a Victorian parlor."-Early life:...
.
Life and career
Tessa was born in Davao CityDavao City
The City of Davao is the largest city in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the Philippines....
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. She is the only daughter of business man, Jose Cam and wife, Vivian. She is married to Cliff Rowe, who is also an artist.
Her career began in late 2002 when, after graduating with a degree in Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
from the Ateneo de Davao University
Ateneo de Davao University
The Ateneo de Davao University is a private and research Catholic university administered by the Society of Jesus in Southern Mindanao in the Philippines. It was established in 1948...
, she discovered her niche in the realm of digital art
Digital art
Digital art is a general term for a range of artistic works and practices that use digital technology as an essential part of the creative and/or presentation process...
s. In 2003, she decided to move to Vancouver, Canada to pursue a degree in 3D Animation
Computer animation
Computer animation is the process used for generating animated images by using computer graphics. The more general term computer generated imagery encompasses both static scenes and dynamic images, while computer animation only refers to moving images....
& Visual Effects
Visual effects
Visual effects are the various processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shoot. Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or...
at VFS
Vancouver Film School
Vancouver Film School is a private entertainment arts school located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1987, it has achieved international recognition. The Vancouver Film School has campus locations around Downtown Vancouver and comprises six buildings...
where she wrote, produced, and directed her first animated short film. It was also there that she met the man she would marry seven years later. In 2005, she returned to the Philippines to work for a small animation studio and has been involved in the local animation and film industry to this day.
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Philippines
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Philippines is a Philippine counterpart of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School. It is one of over a hundred Dr. Sketchy branches all over the world, from AkronAkron
-Settlements:Canada* Akron, OntarioSouth Africa* Akron, South AfricaUnited States* Akron, Alabama* Akron, Colorado* Akron, Indiana* Akron, Iowa* Akron, Michigan* Akron, New York* Akron, Pennsylvania* Akron, West Virginia* Akron Township, Illinois...
to Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
. Dr Sketchy's is, according to the New York Times, a "cross between a life drawing class and new-wave cabaret". Originally founded by the glorious Molly Crabapple
Molly Crabapple
Molly Crabapple is an American artist, author and entrepreneur.The AP Wire once compared her work to "limerick shared amongst good company in a Victorian parlor."-Early life:...
(who has drawn for and worked with Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
), the movement found its way to the Philippines through head nurse and branch director, Tessa Cam Rowe.
On New Year's Day
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome...
of 2011, Tessa was awarded the rights and license to open up a Dr. Sketchy branch in the Philippines. Her reason for bringing this alternative art movement to the country was "To break pre-conceived notions conservative filipinos have about art, nudity and the human form, burlesque, cabaret, performance art, tattoes, piercings, and everything that is a part of self-expression and individuality; to bring out appreciation of the true filipino gift".
She manages Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Philippines with her good friends Kim Liu, Michael Acosta, and KittyCat Cutler, and holds regular Dr. Sketchy sessions at the Amber Ultra Lounge, in Bonifacio Global City. Her Filipino branch has been up there with Molly Crabapple's favourite new Dr. Sketchy branches.
Notable Participants
Since its launch in January 2011, Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Philippines has hosted events involving the participation of well-known activist and Rhode Island School of DesignRhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design is a fine arts and design college located in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1877. Located at the base of College Hill, the RISD campus is contiguous with the Brown University campus. The two institutions share social, academic, and community resources and...
graduate, Carlos Celdran
Carlos Celdran
Charles P. "Carlos" Celdran is a Manila tour guide, cultural activist, and performing artist. Growing up in Dasmariñas Village, Makati, Philippines, he began his art career at age 14 as a cartoonist for a local Manila newspaper, enrolling at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1991, where he...
for a progressive art session Forward Manila, top model/DJ duo, Ornusa Cadness (Day of the Loving Dead) and Mia Ayesa (Express Delivery); Philippine pole dancing champion and Pole Academy Philippines' very own burlesque
Burlesque
Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...
diva, Eisa Jocson (aka Lady S.); and alternative art model, Dear Prudence.
Rowe is also known to collaborate with the Sipat Lawin Ensemble, a Philippine-based theatre ensemble known for their 'site-specific' and barrier-breaking performances.
Mentions
- Dr. Sketchy’s Anti Art School Manila on Why We Love Manila
- Carlos Celdran to host Dr. Sketchy’s "Forward Manila" Art Star session on ADOBO Magazine