Confronting the elements
Crows and the "combine painting" of Pradit Tungprasartwong are on show at Chula
Pradit Tungprasartwong is one of pioneering Thai artists who introduced “combine painting” to the local scene. His latest works are on show at Chulalongkorn Art Centre, and feature large-scale oil paintings that seem to be spilling sculptures of crows onto the floor beneath them.
A combination of three-dimensional objects with two-dimensional paintings, the “combine painting” method first emerged in Western art in the mid 20th century. Pradit, 46, earned his bachelor’s degree in sculpture at Silpakorn University and then shifted to painting for his master’s there. He began to seriously develop his combine paintings in 2002, starting with “Thinking of My Grandmother” and “Work Is Dharma Practice”.
For “In My Recollection” the following year, he chose objects that linked the representative painting to non-representative objects. Even though what he presented was not new, he excelled at emphasising how ordinary objects were able to make viewers think differently and give them a unique experience.
His current solo show at Chula, “Confrontation: Three Elements of Life”, introduces life experiences and philosophies based on three human states: kilesa (anxiety, fear, anger, jealousy, desire, depression, etc), the truth and irresolution/vacillation. These concepts are based on Buddhism and reflect how Pradit has personally applied Buddhist teachings to heal the chemical imbalance in his brain.
Therefore, “Confrontation: Three Elements of Life” creates a dialogue about what the artist sees and experiences and the three states the artist constructed for viewers to perceive. He says his works raise awareness and beg questions about life and living that all humans, regardless of their nationality or class, can understand.
Above all, this exhibition expands the definition of Thai mainstream contemporary art, artistic expressions and ideas by re-examining local settings and the traditional way of art making, says Pradit, who is now a lecturer at the College of Fine Arts Lat Krabang.
Just watch out for those crows.
FLOCK TOGETHER
Pradit will talk about his inspiration and creative process at 2pm tomorrow at Chulalongkorn Art Centre. The show runs until Saturday.
For more information visit www.CAR.Chula.ac.th
