The Art of Jem Ham

Jem Ham is a self-taught artist based in Fremantle, Western Australia. Born in Melbourne in 1981, Jem’s interest in art began early. At the age of four, he became captivated by the temporary marks left behind when painting water onto brick walls, an experience that sparked a lifelong fascination with how inner thoughts and feelings can be expressed in the physical world. Over time, that early curiosity evolved into a distinctive visual language that defines his work today.

During his childhood, Jem spent hours climbing trees and lost in daydreams, nurturing a quiet preoccupation with existence and human nature that continues to fuel his work. His practice is rooted in exploring the subconscious, drawing from surrealist automatism and biomorphic abstraction to create imagery that shifts between reality and imagination.

Jem works primarily with pencils, acrylics, and oils on canvas and paper. His process is guided by intuitive mark-making, beginning with automatic drawing and gradually evolving into vivid, dream-inspired works. Often sparked by the liminal moments between sleep and waking, his art reflects his ongoing interest in identity, transformation, and the hidden workings of the human mind.

Jem Ham is a self-taught artist based in Fremantle, Western Australia. Born in Melbourne in 1981, Jem’s interest in art began early. At the age of four, he became captivated by the temporary marks left behind when painting water onto brick walls, an experience that sparked a lifelong fascination with how inner thoughts and feelings can be expressed in the physical world. Over time, that early curiosity evolved into a distinctive visual language that defines his work today.

During his childhood, Jem spent hours climbing trees and lost in daydreams, nurturing a quiet preoccupation with existence and human nature that continues to fuel his work. His practice is rooted in exploring the subconscious, drawing from surrealist automatism and biomorphic abstraction to create imagery that shifts between reality and imagination.

Jem works primarily with pencils, acrylics, and oils on canvas and paper. His process is guided by intuitive mark-making, beginning with automatic drawing and gradually evolving into vivid, dream-inspired works. Often sparked by the liminal moments between sleep and waking, his art reflects his ongoing interest in identity, transformation, and the hidden workings of the human mind.

Relocating to Fremantle in 2012 marked a pivotal point in both Jem’s life and creative journey. The move freed him from the familiar ties of Melbourne and provided the space and clarity that allowed his distinctive artistic style to fully emerge. It was also during this period that he committed to pursuing his practice with greater focus and professionalism. Since then, his work has been exhibited in solo and group shows across Australia and is held in private collections. In 2021, he received the Best Painting at the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Art Prize for his work Rebirth – a metamorphosis of self. His work has also been featured in various online and print publications.