Optimism, pessimism and paradoxes
Acclaimed Thai artist Natee Utarit, who is represented by Richard Koh Fine Art Gallery, is exhibiting works from his “Optimism is Ridiculous” series in Gallery B of the National Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur from now until May 31.
Born in Bangkok, 1970, Natee attended the College of Fine Art in 1987 and graduated from Silpakorn’s Painting and Sculpture Faculty in 1991. His solo exhibitions include “Optimism Is Ridiculous: The Altarpieces” at Ayala Museum, Manila, Philippines in 2017, “Illustration of the Crisis” at Bangkok University Gallery in 2013, “After Painting” at Singapore Art Museum, Singapore in 2010 and “The Amusement of Dreams, Hope and Perfection” at Art Centre of Chulalongkorn University in 2007.
With the theme of “Optimism is Ridiculous: Paintings on Figure of Speech, Paradoxes and Inward Journey”, the series has three cognitive components, namely; paintings of human beings, animals and objects. They come together as sentences or phrases that connect to a particular observation. This exhibition will present animal paintings by the artist, highlighting social contexts and other understandings of the outside world by contrasting Asian-ness against a post-colonial product-based inspiration.
The gallery is open from 10 am to 6pm. For more information, please visit www.artgallery.gov.my
