Collection: Dhiradj Ramsamoedj
B. 1986 - Suriname
Dhiradj Ramsamoedj (born March 24, 1986, in Paramaribo, Suriname) is a contemporary Surinamese artist whose work explores memory, cultural heritage, and the human condition. He is the eldest son of Johan Ramsamoedj, a retired government employee, and Sharda Soekhoe, a tailor. Raised in a family of tailors, with his grandfather also practicing the trade, Ramsamoedj developed a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and cultural traditions from an early age. He is married to Saffira Rahamat, and together they have a son.
Encouraged by artist Rinaldo Klas, Ramsamoedj enrolled at the Nola Hatterman Art Institute in 2000 and graduated with honors in 2004. His first solo exhibition in 2006 focused on ordinary Surinamese people, their cultures, and the social challenges they face. Since then, his artistic practice has evolved to include themes of memory, identity, and heritage.
His international career includes a guest lecturing position at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in the Netherlands (2009), residencies at Alice Yard in Trinidad and Tobago (2011), Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris (2016), and Miami, USA (2026). His celebrated Adjie Gilas Project has been exhibited internationally, including in the United States (2022) and the CBK Museum in the Netherlands (2026). His works are represented by Readytex Art Gallery.
Statement
My artworks are grounded in carefully conceived ideas, many of which I thoughtfully developed in old textbooks. Through my oil and acrylic paintings, I often portray ordinary people in everyday situations, infused with subtle symbolism that offers critical commentary on the complex and often controversial issues shaping contemporary society.
My three-dimensional sculptures and installations, composed of numerous small elements, mirror the fragmented yet interconnected nature of our diverse Caribbean societies. Notably, my man-sized Flexible Man textile sculptures and the Adjie Gilas installation have been showcased in several significant international exhibitions.
In my recent works, I delve into key social narratives and examine the economic and political challenges that influence the sustainable growth and development of my richly diverse homeland, Suriname. I also explore themes of identity and cultural memory through projects such as Project Maur and my large-scale painting Fragments of Suriname.
I received my formal art education and teacher training in Suriname and have continued to expand my artistic perspective through enriching experiences across the Caribbean region and in Europe.
