Jumaadi

Since 1996, Jumaadi works between his studios in Sydney, Australia and Imogiri, Java.

Born in East Java, Indonesia, Jumaadi spent his youth in the village of Sidoarjo. He came to Australia to complete a Bachelor of Fine Art at the National Art School, followed by a Master of Fine Art, also at NAS.

Jumaadi is a mutli disciplinary artist, working in painting, sculpture, installation and performance. He serves as both creator, director and performer, working alone at times or with an entourage of musicians and performers. He is an artist of unequivocal vision, with a perception and understanding of historical context combined with contemporary knowledge. Jumaadi’s work is individualistic and poignant, giving you cause to stop, observe and contemplate. Infused with Jumaadi’s unique sense of humour, compassion and prescience, we find an artist who transcends cliches and surpasses our wildest expectations.

Recently Jumaadi’s work was featured in the Gwangju Biennale, South Korea. His large scale works have entered the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney.

Jumaadi is currently working on a major outdoor sculptural installation at Barangaroo, Sydney; a large scale commission for the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial at Queensland Art Gallery l Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane and for the Jogja Biennale, Indonesia [both in 2021-2022].

A number of the works on view here were created just prior to COVID lockdown and continued into lockdown restrictions. Jumaadi’s works on paper are an integral part of his overall practice. They formulate his ideas for future works, with an uncompromising, immediate directness, touched by a gentle, poetic subtlety.