May 8 2025
Jordan Morris
a.k.a GRIM JORDAN
Artist.
Recipient of the PAC Gala ART AWARD 2025, Morris is one of Australia and the Pacific’s artistic treasures and in PNG, his artwork is literally money
Morris’ detail rich heartworks are a form of meditation, an optical massage that lovingly forces one to stand still and be in the present moment.
We are big fans of the Brisbane based JORDAN MORRIS, the artist and the young old soul Being who expresses his emotions so freely and so beautifully, in words too.
Listen to our chat with him at his 2023 Sydney exhibition]
STARLIGHT
1. Is what you’re doing now what you have always wanted to do?
Not really, this was a blessing in disguise. I am, however, grateful that I get to do this, and it feels like I was always meant to do this now.
2. Do you paint every day, or do you paint according to mood?
I try to draw more often. It always entirely depends on what is happening around me, ie, social issues in the pacific, Melanesia and Papua New Guinea most of the time.
3. What’s something that takes up way too much of your time?
Doom scrolling for inspiration. With the amount of art that is out there, how to borrow ideas and create art that does not exist.
4. Which instrument would you play if you were in a rock band? Can you play any instruments?
Honestly, there is something about an electric guitar lately. I do play the guitar and a bit of piano. Not an expert yet but I am going to try to get back into it.
5. What colour would you use to describe yourself? Why?
Now, I am feeling a dark red hue, like a ruby red but so rich and deep.
I think the dark red ruby is rich not in financial terms but more of a mystery and elegance, power and intensity, which is kind of where I want to move the art into. Hope this makes sense ha.
6. Name a book that had an impact on you and why.
‘Atomic Habits‘. I am reading it for the third time.
‘Atomic Habits‘. I am reading it for the third time.
It is easy to forget the simplest simple techniques (there are quite a few) to form good habits in terms of productivity.
7. What are your thoughts about extraterrestrial life? Are people on another planet wondering if we are aliens?
This is an exciting question. I do think there are forces out there, but we only know what we know.
I look at this in a spiritual lens instead, being from Papua New Guinea. The world is incredible and the forces we see in nature, I do not doubt it exists somewhere else.
8. What thing keeps you going on hard days? What is Faith to you?
Supporting family and my partner. Faith to me is knowing that the good deeds and the energy we give, comes back tenfold.
9. What are you thinking about when you paint? I think a lot of what the artwork will look like when it is completed, the vision I had and the final outcome.
10. What’s on an artist’s playlist? 5 songs that are your current mood.
Sabrina Claudio / Tenerelle / HER / Jhene Aiko / DVSN
That’s what’s on my playlist at the moment.
Sabrina Claudio / Tenerelle / HER / Jhene Aiko / DVSN
That’s what’s on my playlist at the moment.
11. What was your Favorite toy as a kid?
Aeroplanes. I am now thinking of doing my PPL (private pilots license) in the coming future, maybe this year.
Aeroplanes. I am now thinking of doing my PPL (private pilots license) in the coming future, maybe this year.
12. Do you have tattoos? Do they mean anything? If you don’t have tattoos, would you ever get one?
I do have two, one on my spine from the top back of my neck to my lower spine, It has my family members name on it as my family keeps me upright, kind of like my spine haha. One on my left rib that has my mum’s date of passing and a sunflower to remember her, being hers and my favourite flower. She also LOVES hydrangeas more though.
I do have two, one on my spine from the top back of my neck to my lower spine, It has my family members name on it as my family keeps me upright, kind of like my spine haha. One on my left rib that has my mum’s date of passing and a sunflower to remember her, being hers and my favourite flower. She also LOVES hydrangeas more though.
13. What’s your biggest indulgence?
True Crime documentaries. I cannot get enough.
True Crime documentaries. I cannot get enough.
14. Who is your Star? [role model / inspiration]
There isn’t one person, but I have been supporting a couple of charities who have been doing amazing works on the ground back in PNG. The people who take time out of their lives to help our communities doing work and going places that many of us cannot go and have no time to because we are busy with other commitment, they continue to inspire me.
There isn’t one person, but I have been supporting a couple of charities who have been doing amazing works on the ground back in PNG. The people who take time out of their lives to help our communities doing work and going places that many of us cannot go and have no time to because we are busy with other commitment, they continue to inspire me.
15. Do you have a motto?
Do everything with intent.
Do everything with intent.
16. What is your favourite style look for yourself?
I am loving baggy clothing at the moment (we talking about clothes?) A good cargo pants can go with ANYTHING!
I am loving baggy clothing at the moment (we talking about clothes?) A good cargo pants can go with ANYTHING!
17. What’s the one meal you could eat every day?
Not necessarily a meal but crispy chips/fries from KFC.
Not necessarily a meal but crispy chips/fries from KFC.
18. If you could only keep five possessions, what would they be?
My Journal, my car, my drawing pens, my wallet (has my mum’s ID cards in it), my running shoes.
My Journal, my car, my drawing pens, my wallet (has my mum’s ID cards in it), my running shoes.
19. What do you want to be remembered for?
Triumphant. There is a story.
Triumphant. There is a story.
20. THREE things you love about yourself…. and ONE thing you would change.
My brown skin, my brain and my passion.
My brown skin, my brain and my passion.
I would also like to change my brain at some point ha.
Jordan Morris.
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