Jemana Murti (b.1997) is an Indonesian artist based in Bali, who is renowned for his thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between technology and traditional Balinese culture. With an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and keen intellectual finesse, Murti challenges prevailing narratives surrounding cultural preservation, prompting viewers to question the very foundations upon which our understanding of heritage is built.

Educated in Fine Arts practice at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Jemana navigates seamlessly between various mediums, including painting, sculpture, and large-scale installations. Drawing inspiration from his personal experiences as a Balinese artist and the religious aspects of Bali, his work dives deep into the complexities and contradictions of cultural preservation.

Jemana’s visionary approach is most prominently manifested in his series “Ghosts of the Future” and “Future Relic,” where he collaborates with machine learning technology and 3D printers to create haunting wall pieces and sculptures. Through the intertwining of technology and tradition, Murti challenges the notions of authenticity and craftsmanship, painting a dystopian picture of a future where human input is replaced by programmed machines, blurring the boundaries between the past and the future, conveying a dystopian picture where human input is replaced by programmed machines, and objects exist as mere phantoms without a fixed status or form.

Jemana Murti’s profound and intellectually charged artwork redefines the discourse of cultural preservation in the contemporary art world. As his exploration transcends traditional boundaries, his thought-provoking pieces spark conversations about the evolving role of technology in our relationship with heritage, disrupting conventional notions of authenticity and prompting us to question the foundational understanding of preservation. His artwork also serves as a scathing commentary on the commodification of cultural artifacts, raising awareness about the consequential loss of their intrinsic value.