The first in a new series of exhibitions celebrating the diverse communities of the Northern Beaches is opening soon at the Manly Art Gallery & Museum (MAG&M).

At the End (My Love) Nature Wins features the works of Indonesian born artist Jumaadi, who recently moved his Sydney studio to Brookvale, the industrial, and increasingly cultural heartland of the Northern Beaches.

Mayor Sue Heins said Jumaadi’s work reflects the power of cross-cultural collaboration and the ability of art to transcend borders and boundaries.

“His work is deeply rooted in his Indonesian heritage, and often incorporates traditional motifs and symbols.

“Through his art, he explores the themes of love, nature, belonging, migration, and displacement while frequently drawing on his own experiences as an immigrant living in Australia.”  

The exhibition consists of three parts. The first is a selection of paintings exploring the themes of migration, connection, nature, and love using motifs such as flora, fauna, clothing, and the figure.

The second part consists of a series of watercolour drawings, created in his Brookvale studio, in which the symbol of the plant acts as a metaphor for connections and diversity within human communities.

The third section of the exhibition will focus on community engagement – an installation and participation space.

Using Jumaadi’s wall-based art as a framework, the audience will be invited to create and add their own cut-out elements to a collaboratively constructed visual work.

Jumaadi is represented in Sydney by King Street Gallery on William.

Exhibition: 1 September – 8 October 2023 at Manly Art Gallery & Museum

PROGRAMS

Exhibition Opening: Friday 1 September, 6 – 8pm to be opened by Matt Cox, Curator of Asian Art, AGNSW

Friends of MAG&M and Volunteers’ Preview: Friday 1 September, 10 - 11am

Meet the Artist – Artist talk: Sunday 3 September, 2 – 3pm

Jumaadi talks about the ideas and works in At the End (My Love) Nature Wins at this informal opportunity to meet and engage with the artist.