ART INTERVIEW
The good shepherd
Renowned Italian curator Pier Luigi Tazzi discusses his engagements with Thai contemporary art
- Published: 11/01/2012 at 08:30 AM
- Newspaper section: Life
Contemporary art in Thailand is visible internationally, perhaps increasingly so. For example, the conceptual artist Pratchaya Phinthong was featured in a recent edition of Frieze magazine and he has been selected for inclusion in New York's New Museum Triennial 2012 (curiously titled "The Ungovernables"). There are many other examples of comparable recognition for contemporary Thai artists.
Nim Kruasaeng’s Trance Formations installation.
For anyone with an interest in Thai art scenes this recognition is, of course, laudable. But beyond international inclusiveness, is the fact these artists are Thai of much significance? Well, according to certain local powers (look at the nationalistic censorship problems Apichatpong Weerasethakul has encountered in the past), prevalent curatorial policies that link artists to their racial identity and art markets that categorise their products according to ethnicity, the answer is: yes, it is significant.
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About the author
- Writer: Brian Curtin
- Position: An Irish-born artist and curator based in Bangkok.
