Exhibition
Jamel Armand, Half Song
Festive opening
Saturday 11 April, 16 - 19 hrs
Bisou Gallery
Levantkade 85, Amsterdam
April 11th - May 31st, 2026
Half Song
In 'Half Song', Jamel Armand explores the space between the finished and the unfinished. His paintings seem to exist in a moment of becoming, where forms have not yet fully decided what they want to be.
Rather than forcing an image into completion, Armand allows the work to unfold gradually. Through repetition of gestures, layers and marks, figures slowly emerge from colour and texture, echoing the way patterns and images arise through rhythm and repetition in many indigenous traditions.
Jamel’s work often begins from a similar point of departure, yet his recent pieces show a clear evolution. The works have become more textured and fragmented, with a slightly more restrained palette that gives them a quieter, more classical presence, while remaining unmistakably his.
Powerful yet understated, the figures appear as guardians or carriers of stories. Sometimes clearly present, sometimes only partially visible within layers of paint and surface.
Inspired by the spiritual force of folk traditions across the Indonesian archipelago, Armand intentionally leaves the forms open. Like a song that has not yet been fully sung, the work continues to resonate.
A Half Song.
Bisou x S E L E R A x Jamel Armand
For this special collaboration pop-up dinner, Bisou and S E L E R A present a vibrant seasonal dinner celebrating the arrival of spring, set within the gallery and surrounded by the works of Jamel Armand on the occasion of his first solo exhibition at Bisou.
This intimate preview dinner offers guests the opportunity to experience the new body of work, 'Half Song', before the exhibition officially opens and to meet the artist in person during an evening of food, conversation, and art.
Designed around a sharing concept, the evening invites you to gather and explore a curated selection of dishes highlighting the freshest seasonal ingredients, beautifully composed plates that awaken the palate while your eyes wander across the artworks.
In 'Half Song', Armand explores the space between the finished and the unfinished. Through layers of colour, texture, and repeated gestures, figures gradually emerge, sometimes clearly present, sometimes only partially visible. The new works reveal a subtle evolution in his practice: more textured and fragmented, with a more restrained palette that gives them a quieter, almost classical presence while remaining unmistakably his, powerful, spiritual, and loving in character.
The menu shines a spotlight on vegetables at their seasonal peak, elevated with bold flavours and thoughtful techniques inspired by the Southeast Asian heritage of both the artist and the chef. A select number of meat and seafood dishes will also be served for our meat-loving and pescatarian guests.
An evening of beautiful food, art, conversation, and spring energy awaits.
Time: Walk-in 18.30, Dinner 19.00
Dinner: €85 per person (including drinks).
The dinner is by invitation, though we are happy to welcome a limited number of guests with a special interest in the work of Jamel Armand. It offers a first opportunity to experience the exhibition and discover the works before the official opening.
Jamel ArmandStudio, The Hague, March 2026
