Exploring the effects of modern fashion

Exploring the effects of modern fashion

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

With Covid-19 blocking the way back to New York, internationally acclaimed illustrator Piamrak Hattakietkosol, aka Ping Hatta, spent her free time at home creating a new series of fashion portraits for her latest solo exhibition "Undressed To Dress Up", which is on view at River City Bangkok's Room 248 until the end of the year.

Ping has redefined fashion illustration by depicting long-legged figures -- often Caucasian -- holding model poses or strutting down runways. Her new works reflect on the relationship between contemporary fashion and its impact on how a woman keeps herself well-dressed with an attitude of self-awareness and an aura of confidence. There is no specific muse in the paintings for empowering attitude or showing appreciation of the real female form but instead they represent diverse beauty. "This cosmic reset is bigger than our inconveniences and personal hardships. It has definitely changed the fashion landscape. I had to pause and reflect on what kind of life I want to live. Does my work align with my values? What does fashion illustration mean to me? In a way, thanks to Covid-19, I rediscovered myself and my art again -- metaphorically speaking. I let go of my old limiting beliefs and what no longer serves me and dressed myself up with what I want to put out there in the world," said Ping. With cancelled plans and not being able to travel back to New York, Ping took this challenging opportunity to contemplate not only about the global impact of the pandemic but also how it unravelled her career and her life on a personal level.

Images from 'Undressed To Dress Up'. River City Bangkok

Living between New York and Bangkok, she has worked as a live-portrait artist for several brands by adding a special touch to corporate events and fashion shows. Focusing on different topics including relationships, fashion, womanhood, culture, subtle experiences, dreams and mysticism, she has translated those things intuitively into visual form.

Images from 'Undressed To Dress Up'. photos courtesy of River City Bangkok

She works across various mediums, including gouache, embroidery, linocut printmaking and digital, while her illustrations have been published in British Vogue, ELLE Thailand, Marie Claire Mexico, L'Officiel Malaysia, American Illustration and for brands like Jo Malone London and Sephora.

Images from 'Undressed To Dress Up'. River City Bangkok

The "Undressed To Dress Up" exhibition is being displayed on the 2nd floor of River City Bangkok until Dec 31. It's open daily from 11am to 8pm on weekdays and 10am to 8pm on weekends. Admission is free. Find out more, visit rivercitybangkok.com.

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