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 fascinated by the temporary marks left behind when painting water onto brick walls, an experience that sparked a lifelong curiosity about how thoughts and feelings can take shape in the physical world. Over time, this early interest developed into a visual language that defines his work today.
As a child, Jem spent hours climbing trees and lost in thought, quietly observing the world around him. He draws on surrealist automatism and biomorphic abstraction to create works where the real and imaginary fuse together in a world of their own.
Jem works primarily with pencils, acrylics, and oils on canvas and paper. His process often begins with automatic drawing, which he gradually develops into more detailed and often dream inspired compositions. The work unfolds naturally, responding to what emerges on the page or canvas, reflecting his ongoing interest in identity, transformation, and the workings of the mind.
Relocating to Fremantle in 2012 marked a pivotal moment in Jem’s life and creative journey. Freed from the familiar ties of Melbourne, he gained the space and clarity that allowed his artistic style to fully emerge. During this period, he committed to his practice with greater focus and professionalism. Since then, his work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions across Australia and is held in private collections. In 2021, he received 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.