The ideal man

The ideal man

Krit Chantranet's first solo exhibition showcases the perfect life that doesn't exist

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The ideal man
Walking Men by Krit Chantranet.

There are certain ideals, Krit Chantranet says, that are universal. Getting a good education. Going to a good university. Getting a good job and doing a good job. Making money. Finding love. Having a loving family. Being healthy. That's the perfect life.

For the past few years, Krit has been preoccupied with the notion that these dreams are mere illusions. He is dissatisfied, plagued by a sense of fragility. Ideals aren't real, he says.

At 43, Krit presents his work in a solo exhibition for the first time at Numthong Gallery. "Super Human" explores the human soul through the human body. Imperfection manifests in the physiology of the body; muscle contractions reveal a story.

A painting hanging in the centre of a wall of the gallery, David's Posture, is a mocking reference to Michelangelo's David, the epitome of the perfect male figure, posed in the recognisable stance, smirking. An imperfect masterpiece. Krit's brushstrokes are intensely expressionistic, almost reminiscent of Oskar Kokoschka. 

In another, The 5 Walking Men, five men form a row, bent over like apes, head to bottom, head to bottom. One is immediately reminded of Tom Six's The Human Centipede. Krit has never heard of the movie, though he is intrigued. His figures are twisted, necks bend absurdly sideways, turn like screws. The muscles are defined, as if the figures have been skinned to reveal emotion.

Family by Krit Chantranet.

"I've come to look at the world quite negatively," he says. "There's a point in life where things change. Everyone experiences that. Maybe there were more accidents in my own life."  

These accidents he speaks of are family conflicts — the common problems, which also demonstrate themselves in his work.

"I feel like I have a lot of sorrows."

In this series, he paints three terrifying family portraits. A mother with a nip-slip; children with adult faces. In Mom And Baby, mother and child both have Krit's face. He paints from live models, including himself. He looks at himself naked in the mirror as he paints. His subjects are not necessarily himself, but they certainly do look like him.

Krit studied at Silpakorn University, but left after two years. "I was young. I had a huge ego. I had a strong personality." He has been drawing and painting since he was a child.

"I only started questioning what art really means when I was in high school. I always thought it was about skills, but I realise now it's more than that. When I was growing up, my view of the art world was small. For me, art is about being able to say things, to express things, express feelings. I think artists have a duty to express whatever it is, in whatever way they choose."

Not completing his degree has since left him with an inferiority complex, one that he can't quite overcome. Graduating was expected of him by his family. Krit worked in design for nearly five years before deciding to return to the art world. His friends who graduated were beginning to make names for themselves.

"I realised I had to pursue my dreams. I thought I would go crazy otherwise," he says. He worked in galleries. He had a shop in Chatuchak Market, where he drew lifelike portraits for customers. At least he was painting.

"My life has finally become more stable. I am showing my work. It is stable in terms of emotions, perhaps not in terms of selling art. That's another story, but you adjust your life accordingly. That's what artists do," he says. "I guess I'm more confident in myself. I feel, if I'm committed, I could do it."

"I work best when I am disciplined. I have a routine. I don't wait for inspiration. If it's not there, I dip the paintbrush in the paint and just do it. I used to wait for the mood, but it doesn't work like that. Successful people are disciplined people."


'Super Human' is on show at Numthong Gallery until April 25th.

The Two Wry Neck by Krit Chantranet.

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