Born in Pulau Pinang, MY
Resides and works in Strasbourg, FR
Humour and play are integral in the life and art of Joi Murugavell-- a lesson she learned from her father as an elixir to life’s absurdities. Behind the laughs lies a desperate desire to understand her world - away from the influences of family, friends and culture. Art is the process by which she navigates the layers she’s acquired along the way. Joi sought employment as a Graphic Designer for 12 years, always finishing her day by making a drawing which she saw as the healthiest after-work cigarette. “It was always necessary to make art”.
Joi’s art is spontaneous, who’s characters frequently act out life experiences, capturing the beauty and pain of the human experience and movement. Her art is often abstract, bright, biting, humorous — and always on the edge of either feeling good or being another way to bleed.
In 2017, she was part of a performance piece called ‘Ask Me Anything’ with the Museum Of Contemporary Art Australia’s Young Ambassadors Club. In 2018, Joi was invited by abc Gallery Seoul to have her first solo exhibition ‘Bananas Down Under’ in South Korea, a debut of her large format paintings. Since then Joi has exhibited nationally and internationally in the United States, China, London, Amsterdam, Belgium, Mexico, Taiwan, Korea and recently at The Hyundai Seoul Alt.1 Museum. Her work has been presented at major contemporary art fairs including ARCO Madrid, Art021 Shanghai, Korea International Art Fair (KIAF) and Art Taipei.
Joi has experienced and learnt from her surroundings as a child growing up in Malaysia, early adulthood in New Zealand and 11 years living in Australia as a full blown adult. In 2023 Joi moved to France and currently lives and works in Strasbourg, next to a quiet dog park.
“Existence was not only absurd, it was plain hard work. Think of how many times you put on your underwear in a lifetime. It was appalling, it was disgusting, it was stupid.” - Charles Bukowski
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