From Bengalaru to Bangkok, art worlds converge

INDIAN PHOTOGRAPHER Anup Mathew Thomas, winner of this year’s Han Nefkens Foundation-BACC Award for Contemporary Art, enjoyed exploring Thailand’s art scene so much after winning the honour early this year, that the Bengaluru-based artist was back in Bangkok last month.

During a one-month residency here, Anup focused on the Thai photography scene, rushing to meet two prominent local lensmen, Photo Bangkok 2015 director Piyatat Hemmatat at the RMA Institute on Sukhumvit, and artist-curator Manit Sriwanichpoom at his Kathmandu Gallery on Silom.

“We shared things about our art scenes here and there,” Payitat tells Soopsip. “He will also hang out at Photo Bangkok 2015, which opens at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre tomorrow.”

A 2003 graduate of the Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology in Bengaluru, Anup’s photo series feature ordinary Indians, and have been noted for their conveyance of strong emotions.

Apart from Bangkok, Anup visited Chiang Mai, where many Thai contemporary artists and collectors have opened studios and galleries. Naturally, the Indian shutterbug was drawn to the latest show by Indian-born Thai artist Navin Rawanchaikul, whose “A Tale of Two Homes, Tales of Navin” exhibition is spread across three venues in the northern city. Navin’s show, which marks the 20th anniversary of his Navin Productions, has works on display at his studio in tambon Fah Ham, his late father’s OK textile shop in Varorot Market, and DC Collection, art collector Disphol Chansiri’s gallery. 

Anup also visited Kamin Lertchaiprasert’s private museum, 31st Century, which is near Chiang Mai University, Tawatchai Punsawat’s sculpture studio and Empty Space Chiang Mai, a public theatre and art space by run by Manuel and Noi Lutgenhorst. He even had a northern-style lunch with Professor Kosit Juntaratip at CMU’s Faculty of Fine Arts.

And, no self-respecting artist would visit Chiang Mai without a trip to The Land, an alternative open-air “studio” where Kamin and world-famous conceptual artist Rirkrit Tiravanija have converted a rice field into a space for “in-situ” art – pieces designed with a specific place in mind. There, alongside BACC director Luckana Kunavichayanont, Anup learned more about Rirkrit’s far-out utopian visions. 

It was an eye-opening trip, and everywhere he went, Anup took photos. Perhaps some of them will turn up in his solo show, which is coming soon to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.