I begin by acknowledging the Jagera people and the Turrbal people as the Traditional Custodians of Meanjin (Brisbane), the lands on which I live, work and create Papua New Guinean art and stories. I pay my respects to Jagera and Turrbal Elders past and present.

Welcome all!

My name is Jordan, though most have come to know me as ‘Grim Jordan’, a name that started as a nickname for my Instagram account and has evolved into my brand and identity. I was born in Mount Hagen and raised in Goroka in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. As a kid, our culture and the stories of our people always fascinated me. I remember being entranced by singsing, a cultural performance featuring dance and song, and the performers adorned with our traditional bilas which boasts vibrant face paints, grand feather arrangements and intricate embellishment of shells and ornaments. This would later feature significantly in my most signature artworks.

In my youth, I loved to read but I always found myself frustrated by books without pictures. To make up for this, I would illustrate what I was reading on the blank spaces of the pages, bringing the stories to life. My mother wasn’t happy with me ruining all my books with my drawings, so she bought me a stack of A4 papers to draw on instead. This was not an uncommon occurrence, I remember getting in big trouble for sketching inside my stepmother's Bible and in my school exercise books. Art has always been more than just a creative outlet, it's my passion and a form of escape. Art became my refuge, a way to unwind and cope with mental health challenges, offering me solace in times of need.

In 2012, at the age of 17, I moved from Papua New Guinea to Queensland to pursue a Bachelor of International Business at Sunshine Coast University. Between study and work, I continued to draw whenever I had the chance. While I was living on the Sunny Coast, my art began to receive recognition among my peers, and attracted attention and support on Instagram and Facebook, especially from my fellow Papua New Guineans.

I draw inspiration from the stories passed down by my mother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and my own research on Papua New Guinean art, culture, and history. Papua New Guinea is one of the most ecologically, culturally and linguistically diverse countries in the world. Its rich biodiversity is reflected in its varied landscapes, including tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, coastal ecosystems, and coral reefs. PNG is home to over 800 distinct languages and more than 1,000 cultural groups. Each tribe or clan has its own unique cultural practices, languages, and stories. However, due to colonisation and the shift to a more modern, globalised society, much of this diversity is being lost at an alarming rate. Through my art, I aim to preserve this diversity, celebrating the culture and stories of Papua New Guinea. Many of my pieces are inspired by ancient tales of ancestral beliefs and deities, while others reflect on modern society, its triumphs and challenges.

My commitment to sharing Papua New Guinean art and stories has earned recognition beyond the art world, allowing for some of my work to be showcased in the Air Niugini in-flight magazine. My work has also earned praise from the Bank of Papua New Guinea who commissioned a custom design by me which is now featured on the 50 Kina Bank Note for the Bank's 50th Anniversary in 2023. In February of 2025 I was awarded Artist of the Year at the PAC Gala for my contribution to PNG art and storytelling.

I have also used my art as a platform to advocate for the voiceless, including women and children who have fallen victim to family and tribal violence in PNG. Through my artwork, I aim to tell the story of their struggles, with the hope of inspiring social change. Throughout my career, I have donated artworks to various charities. My support extends to vital initiatives, such as the A21 Campaign's fight against modern slavery and sex trafficking, as well as supporting the incredible work of PNG Gulf Association of QLD, St John’s Ambulance in PNG and other non-for profits. Through partnering with these charities, I have been able to raise over AU$50,000 to date.

In 2024 I held two sold-out solo art exhibitions in Brisbane and Melbourne. With the success of these exhibitions, I hope to continue building my art in Australia and abroad. I am holding another art exhibition in Brisbane in April of 2025 and have plans to exhibit my artwork in Papua New Guinea in the future.