Jemana Murti’s (b. 1997, Indonesia) work rethinks the way we approach and view some of life’s most-asked questions and mysteries: What comes after death and where do we go? His works take inspiration from his lived experiences and observations as a Balinese artist, with a focus on the religious aspects of Bali.
In Genesis, Jemana uses ash and charcoal to portray “the end” in a new light and proposes that death might not always be the end of a life. In many regions, ash is seen as the symbol of an end. This rings especially true in Bali where people get cremated when they pass away. However, ash can also be used as a fertilizer for crops and other plants, which in turn feed many people. The idea of living things continuing or reincarnating and becoming something of use even after death intrigued him, and made death less frightening.
Jemana is currently based in Bali, Indonesia. He graduated with a BA in Fine Art Practice from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore in 2020. His artistic practice consists of painting, sculpture, and large-scale installations. In 2019, he participated in a group exhibition The New Now III: Convergence by Gajah Gallery Singapore.