Until June 20: World History
Entitled ‘World History’, this exhibition brings together in one show the artworks of eight emerging Chinese artists—namely Guo Hongwei, Wen Yipei, Jiang Pengyi, Shen Han, Guan Jun, Xu Qu, Hu Weiyi, and Wang Mai. The various mediums used by the octet of artists range from oil painting and photography, to installation and video. As the show’s title suggests, the subject here is the history of the world, but it is not a direct discussion of “world history”, as this term, in its true sense, only emerged after the Age of Discovery (which was accompanied by the global colonization and expansion of European capitalism). From a certain perspective, world history is also a narrative of modernity. As a system of knowledge or an everyday idea, capitalism is a logical discourse that interacts with us (at least those of in China) over a period of time and is inevitably projected onto our contemporary art. Through the intertextual relationships between the artworks—from the four conceptual perspectives of nature, the body, identity, and images—this exhibition presents a historical, silhouetted relationship between capitalism and cosmopolitanism.
Tang Contemporary Art
3F, Golden Place Plaza, 153 Rajdamri Rd.
Viewing hours: Tue-Sat, 11am-7pm (Closed on Public Holidays)
Tel: 02 652 2732 | tangcontemporary.com
Until June 24: Lady and Chandelier
This exhibition, by artist Boonhlue Yangsuay, presents the viewer with (in the artist’s own words): “A reflection of the woman who is always ready to turn into a demon. They may look soft and fragile on the outside, but they are strong inside. They know what is worth fighting for, and are not afraid of the danger. They are the representations of the kind of strong woman that will make any man bow to her. All the angels in disguise that are still very patient and strong-minded—even though they are faced with a number of cruel challenges, and are fighting it with their women’s artifice. They run the risk of being the prey of the predators that are willing to take the advantage of them.”
All of this is the sad truth of the human society that the artist Boonhlue perceives. The artwork itself has many emotions in it, exemplifying both the beauty and the torture of those angels who interestingly convince us to think about the life and thoughts inside people of every gender—not just women. Symbolic elements are used to further express the stories, illustrating women’s actions over many eras.
Boonhlue Yangsauy graduated with a Master’s in Fine and Applied Arts from Silpakorn University. This exhibition is his third, and there can be no doubt the artist’s strong passion and motivation will propel him far in his artistic career. By using his professional painting techniques, the artist creates artwork that looks amazingly lively and eye-catching. This is universal artwork, and will intrigue both local and international admirers.
Number 1 Gallery
19, Silom Soi 21 | Viewing hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm.
Tel: 083 445 8333 | www.number1gallery.com
Until June 30: Metrospection
Every square inch of Kwanchai Lichaikul’s canvas is covered with details of puzzles in images which the artist invites the audience to explore, ponder, and contemplate the lifestyle in urban societies, which is complex and chaotic. The symbols in the painting utilize imagery in the form of objects and places—such as a library, decaying structures, a labyrinth, and even a flock of birds that prudently observes what is happening in the city. Kwanchai draws lines, big and small, using brushstrokes in black paint combined with an impressive bird’s-eye-view perspective that is unique to the artist.
Numthong Gallery
72/3 Aree Soi 5, Soi 7 Phahonyothin Rd | 02 617 2794
Mon-Sat, 11am-6pm | gallerynumthong.com
Until September 15: Masters of Photography
This group exhibition, which showcases over 130 extraordinary works by Lucie Awards Honorees, includes such photography luminaries as Annie Leibovitz, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Elliott Erwitt, and Robert Capa (to name just a few). The exhibition will be featuring both original prints and published photographs. As a center for photography, House of Lucie not only aims to promote international photography to the widest audiences possible, but also to allow young photographers to be inspired by the works of these masters—all of which hopefully will provide insight and cultural cues, and illustrate dedication to the art of photography.
House of Lucie
Ekkamai Soi 8, Sukhumvit Soi 63 | Tel: 095 478 9987
www.facebook.com/houseoflucie
Until December 31: The Portrait of King Rama IX
The Bangkok Art and Cultural Center (BACC) invites everyone to be part of the exhibition, which, in turn, is part of the campaign entitled “King in our Remembrance”, held to pay the homage to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The area this 34 x 25 metre portrait covers is 850 sq.m (about the size of a 12 storey building), and it uses a “wheat pasting”, or “put up” technique—applying the poster using paper and latex glue. Taking part will be Danaiphat Lersputtitrakan (aka: Mue Bon), and Kahnet Kittinuntoh, along with street art groups TK31 and ABI.
Bangkok Art and Cultural Center (BACC)
939 Rama I Rd | Tel: 02 214 6630-8
Viewing hours: Tue-Sun, 10am-9pm | bacc.or.th
June 3-24: Liquid Bangkok
The exhibition Liquid Bangkok sets out to capture the beauty of a neglected world found along the khlongs of Bangkok, and in doing so also highlight the degraded state of this vast network of waterways that flow through and around the city. Photographer Tim Pelling grew up in the grasslands of Saskatchewan, in Canada, and graduated from the Emily Carr School University of Art and Design in Vancouver. He has been based in Asia for over 20 years, and travels the planet for a wide variety of clients—creating images for corporations, design firms, advertising agencies, and media producers.
As the artist states: “The water that passes through Bangkok has mesmerized me since my early days in the city—in part because it is in such contrast to the prairies of my youth. In Bangkok, I often found myself drawn to the khlongs’ edges, seduced by the constantly changing light and shapes of the less than pristine tributaries. There is a distinct and unique energy to be found there for those who make the effort to search them out. At the same time, it is a difficult place that continually assaults the senses.
“My images in this collection attempt to capture these opposing qualities by weaving the form of the water into the built environment that has grown around them. I don’t work with a preconceived plan, but make it more of a meditative journey.
“Liquid Bangkok is the beginning of a wide-ranging water project using large format landscape images as the vehicle to communicate the message of ‘how we form water and how it forms us’. My roots are in documentary photography and this is my first exploration using a technical camera with a large sensor back, which is a slower method of working. This has changed the way I approach each subject; the slow set up creates more time for reflection, requiring me to fully commit to a given location.
“My hope is that I have found an approach that defines these places with a measure of respect, without, however, glossing over the serious environmental problems that plague this world of water that is a stunning part of the Bangkok urban landscape.”
Soy Sauce Factory
11/1, Charoenkrung Soi 24
Viewing hours: Tue-Sat, 12pm-11pm
Tel: 092 111 8696 | www.facebook.com/soysaucefactory
June 3–July 22: Whitewash
This exhibit, the work of up-and-coming photographer Harit Srikhao, was inspired by the artist’s whimsical and eccentric memories of Thailand during the social conflict in 2010. He displays his personal and private thoughts of the place where he had been in that time—hell and heaven on his mind—including Sanam Luang park, where he found friendships, desires, lies, and also hatreds. The artist created this entire story using his imagination, with a little bit of artistic techniques, to show the audience just how his past unfolded, and thus creating the “truth” behind his images.
Gallery Ver
2198/10-11 Soi Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra 22 | Viewing hours: Daily, 12pm-6pm
Tel: 02 103 4067 | vergallery.com
June 7-29: Strive to Fail
This solo exhibition by Vichaya Mukdamanee aims to explore “failure” as an intellectual resource to generate an unending process of questioning that keeps the artist active, and provides lively engagement with the process of creativity. Using different media, such as video, painting, sculpture, and installation, the artist reflects on his self-learning journey. One artwork gives inspiration and lays the foundation for another. But the end of the project is not the end of the journey. It’s another turning point where the artist learns and moves into the future. It’s evidence of how failure operates as a life learning experience.
The National Gallery Bangkok
4 Chao Fa Rd.
Viewing hours: Wed-Sun, 9am-4pm
Tel: 02 281 2224 | www.facebook.com/TheNationalGalleryBangkok/
June 9-July 29: Remembrance of The King
This exhibition by Kraisak Chirachaisakul is meant to pay tribute to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. For this show the artist has created every piece on display in an effort to convey memorable stories and moments of bliss that Thai people share over their beloved King. The artist’s sophisticated drypoint technique, which overlays four shades of colour with four printed patterns, maximizes the use of vibrant paint and detail. A wide variety of colours are incised one by one onto the surface, which can be likened to the magnitude of love and respect that the Thai population have toward their late monarch.
Kalwit Studio & Gallery
119/14 Soi Ruam Ruedi, Wireless Rd.
Viewing hours: Tue-Sat, 10am-6pm
Tel: 02 254 4629 | www.kalwitgallery.com
June 10–27: Resident Show 2017
This highly anticipated “resident show” features a group of six artists who have been working for about six months to prepare for this particular exhibition. The styles on display will range from expressionist, to traditional, to pop-art. All of the resident artists are from different backgrounds, and they hail from all over the Kingdom of Thailand. Each artist brings different talents—and influences from their own background—to their overall individual style. The resident artists who will be showcased during this show are: Chonkhet Phanwichien, Tinna Hongngam, Prapote Kamjinda, Preecha Raksorn, Pisanu Prasoetphol, and Somchoke Mahachanon.
Sathorn 11 Art Space
404 Soi 11 Sathorn Rd | 02 004 1199
Tue-Sun, 11am-7pm | sathorn11.com
June 23–25: Hotel Art Fair 2017
Farmgroup, a leading firm in design consultancy, invites all art lovers to join in on the Hotel Art Fair Bangkok 2017, the 4th edition of this popular annual event. For three days the guestrooms at the Volve Hotel Bangkok (26/1, Sukhumvit Soi 53) will transform themselves into one-of-a-kind art settings, showcasing various artwork from 30 leading galleries all across Thailand. On Friday the 23rd visitors are welcome from 5pm until 11pm, and then from 11am till 11pm on the Saturday and the Sunday.
Volve Hotel Bangkok
Sukhumvit 53 | Tel: 02 000 1000
www.volvehotel.com/
June 28-January 14: An Artist is Trying to Return to “Being a Writer”
This special project focuses on the writing and art career of Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook, who turns 60 this year. The show will examine the relationship between her parallel practices of art-making and writing, showing how each are intertwining, overlapping or unpremeditatedly complement each other. Khun Araya is one of the most prominent artists working in Thailand and overseas. Her work has been discussed in wide range of subjects—from death and lamentation to eco-feminism. But unlike her well-received career as an artist, her writings have rarely been translated into other languages and remain unobserved by the international art scene.
100 Tonson Gallery
100 Soi Tonson, Phloenchit Rd | 02 684 1527
Thu-Sun, 11am-7pm | 100tonsongallery.com
June 29-August 12: Stitch Up
We all get stitched up one way or another… tricked, deceived, or fooled in a life that is full of illusions. Artist Patipat Chaiwitesh’s transformation of found objects—by weaving, pinching, stuffing and sewing—betrays an ongoing fascination with the many ways in which our culture conditions everything into some kind of alleged false identity. Informed by a dialectic of opposites, nature and culture, instinct and reason, innocence and corruption, Patipat’s beguiling artworks become the evidence in an open-ended investigation, resulting in a show trial to which you are invited to be the judge.
June 29–September 30: Residency of the Robot Named Paul
Paul the Robot is actually a performer in a theatrical installation where passers-by can simply watch the sketching cyborg at work. As soon as Paul is in front of the public, “it” becomes an actor—an actor that can simulate living beings with stylized behaviours that evokes human-ness. The viewer is impressed by the robot and connects with him. The “work of art” is then somewhere in this relationship between man and machine. This extended residency at YenakArt Villa, will be the 3rd for Paul the Robot (following Seoul in 2015, and Tokyo in 2017).
Yenakart Villa
69 Soi Prasart Suk, Yenakart Rd | Tel: 086 705 4280
Viewing hours: Mon-Fri, 2pm-7pm | yenakartvilla.com
