MARCH 25 | JAMEL ARMAND [NL]

When the Rain Kisses the Dust

How can one capture the scent of the first raindrops touching dry earth — something at once intangible and deeply familiar?

It is this invisible interplay of dualities that drives the art of Jamel Armand, along with his fascination with ancient cultures. He depicts figures in poses that oscillate between humility and pride, restraint and freedom, bending under the weight of history, yet standing tall with quiet strength.

His work gives voice to a silent dialogue between past and present, an ode to the purity and aesthetics of vanished civilizations. Their raw and primal energy echoes through his style.

Jamel feels a profound connection to his Indonesian roots and the tribes he might have belonged to in a past life. He honors them by painting their portraits, expressing gratitude to those who came before him.

The story behind this series was forged by pain and perseverance. Indonesia itself reflects this duality-an incredibly rich and diverse culture, shaped by centuries of exchange and influence, yet marked by deep sorrow, from colonial oppression to the ongoing struggle of reckoning with it’s past.

Still, Jamel’s focus remains on resilience: transforming hardship into fuel for growth and improvement.

“Sudah, itu dulu” is a Malay expression meaning “it’s already in the past.” Long used as a coping mechanism, it has taken on new weight as a rising undercurrent of transgenerational trauma calls for reconciliation.

Breaking the cycle of emotional reticence became especially important to Jamel after becoming a father. He is a parent who seeks to be transparent.

His raw emotions find their way into his works — not always consciously, but intuitively. Some paintings remain a mystery even to him. Others, as the paint settles into form, unveil an underlying message, like dust kissed by the rain shifting into a new shape.

Guus van der Steen