Sarnadi Adam was born in Simprug Village, Kebayoran Lama, Jakarta Selatan, 27 August 1956. He learned fine art from Akademi Seni Rupa Indonesia Yogyakarta. Sarnadi Adam paints decoratively in describing various traditional aspects from society of Betawi.

There are not many nationally well-known painters from Betawi. Also there are not many painters who put much attention on objects that have close relation with Betawi tradition. However from the not-many, Sarnadi Adam appears as the only name and he gives his life with loyalty and totality to paint Betawi on canvas. This friendly painter is known as his identically Betawi.

Sarnadi painted five men of Betawi with white "silat" clothes, "sarung" over their shoulders and "peci". Just like the legendary hero Bang Jampang from Betawi, with moustache and beard becoming one, ready to stop any enemies. This painting is named as "Ente Jual Ane Beli", a philosophy for hero of Betawi which means "will not start fighting, but if we are challanged, so be it."

Agus Darmawan, a curator, sees Sarnadi as the asset of Betawi. In his paintings Sarnadi is strongly picturing a city which was named Batavia, in a labil cultural position. Community of Betawi is usually put as "looser". This condition pushes Ali Sadikin to put much attention to a cultural heritage area for Betawi especially at Condet and Srengseng Sawah, which are so originally Betawi.

Graduated from STSR ASRI Yogyakarta, Sarnadi realizes the comunal difference between community of Yogyakarta which is strong enough to gain their tradition and culture, therefore when people from many tribes coming in .. the new comers will adopt to the community of Yogyakarta. Opposite with it, Betawi and the community can not stand to new culture from outsiders. Sarnadi Adam tries to defend Betawi through his wonderful paintings.