Atta Gallery is holding "Ayudhaya 2023", a photo painting exhibition by Manit Sriwanichpoom, a stalwart figure in the realm of contemporary art, from Thursday to June 16.
On showcase will be artworks depicting broken Buddha statues that serve as a powerful inspiration for Manit. Often found encircling Wat Mahathat in the ancient city of Ayutthaya, these statues bear witness to the ravages of time and conflict.
Each one appears disfigured, mismatched and forlorn -- some lacking heads, others missing arms or bodies, while still others feature smaller bodies pieced together from fragments of other shattered statues.
Put together by the Fine Arts Department officials, these poignant remnants are the legacy of the tumultuous history of Ayudhaya , where wars with Burma and the plundering of Buddhist temples by Chinese and Thais left their mark.
For Manit, they evoke parallels with the erosion of moral values in Thailand where political landscape has been marred by nearly two decades of ongoing conflict and the pursuit of power has corroded foundational values and beliefs, leaving behind a society teetering on the brink of irreparability.
The artist channels these themes of violence and despair onto his canvas, juxtaposing the image of broken Buddha statues with the raw emotions of a society in turmoil.
With over four decades of prolific creativity, Manit's vibrant oeuvre serves as a biting critique of society norms, politics and religion. He has a portfolio that spans numerous international exhibitions and art festivals and his works adorn the collections of esteemed public museums worldwide.
The opening reception is on Thursday at 6pm. Atta Gallery is located at Warehouse 30 on Charoen Krung 30 and opens Wednesday to Sunday from 1pm to 6.30pm.
Visit attagallery.com.
