People have different beliefs about sacredness and life after death. A group exhibition "The Sacred Now" by three artists -- Jennarong Khaemadan, Kespada Moonsuwan and Pathomkron Treethep -- raises questions around these subjects and expresses their perspectives through painting, sculpture and installation.
"Sacredness is a belief that humans create and its power has influence or impact on many people. I believe in knowledge and science, but I respect other people's beliefs," said Kespada Moonsuwan who created the collection "Belief And Doubt".
Many people may think about heaven and hell when talking about life after death. However, Pathomkron Treethep who launched the collection "Spiritual Gates", commented that life after death can be a different world.
"Life after death can be a world where a deceased person feels empty and peaceful since he or she will not be in a chaotic society anymore. It can be another world which is neither heaven nor hell," Pathomkron said.
The other artist, Jennarong who created "Himmapan", agreed with Pathomkron about life after death.
"Even though I do not believe in heaven and hell, I believe in life after death. However, I am not sure what it will be like, but it should be more than heaven and hell. If we currently lead a good life, we will be happy with other people in our life after death," said Jennarong.
Jennarong Khaemadan and 'Himmapan'
Jennarong Khaemadan Himmapan
Himmapan is a legendary forest in Thai literature that connects the human realm with heaven. Mystical creatures in the forest are described as extraordinary and beautiful. The idea of Himmapan came from Jennarong's childhood experience when he saw paintings in a temple about life after death and men in the paintings had heads of dogs, chickens and pigs.
"I wanted to create my own Himmapan where I value ordinary animals, so I use ordinary techniques such as drawing and painting which make them look like unfinished artworks. I also added text and messages to tell stories of Himmapan creatures, or wrote down a message during sketching," Jennarong said.
Jennarong, who was a winner at the Bualuang 101 Art Competition in 2019, earned his Bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Painting Sculpture and Graphic Arts at Silpakorn University. "Himmapan" features nine paintings on linen and one sculpture, Kin-Na-Ree, which is made of epoxy. Jennarong conducted research about animal anatomy such as on snakehead fish, chickens and cows from museums, books, the internet and live animals to make his artwork realistic.
Mermaid by Jennarong Khaemadan was inspired by snakehead fish.
"It took time to study anatomy and it is difficult to make it accurate. I painted on linen because it is an expensive fabric. I wanted to express that I value these animals the same way I value other ordinary things in life," Jennarong said.
In addition to ordinary animals, Jennarong also drew images of bald men and chubby women because he can see beauty from imperfection.
"Our society has certain beauty standards, but I believe everyone has their own charm," Jennarong concluded.
The painting Hen and epoxy sculpture Kin-Na-Ree.
Kespada Moonsuwan with 'Belief And Doubt'.
Kespada Moonsuwan Belief And Doubt
Kespada questions science wars and black magic with abstract, semi-abstract and pop art paintings. His silkscreen artworks Trump Power, Kim Power and Putin Power depict images of former US president Donald Trump, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin on a background of talisman patterns created from chemical formulas.
"Black magic creates a belief in people to think that they have supernatural power. Science wars make country leaders feel confident in the power of nuclear weapons. The collection aims to criticise that ancient people used violence to solve problems and even today people in an era of technology still use violence as a solution," Kespada said.
The painting Third Eye Of Shiva illustrates a mock-up of the first atomic bomb, innocently called The Gadget, and includes images of many scientists who were involved in inventing the atomic bomb such as Albert Einstein and the father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer. Two very interesting paintings in his collection feature Donald Trump in Angry? and Kim Jong-un in Smile?. These paintings were set up with the two leaders facing each other.
Angry?, left, and Smile? are examinations of Donald Tump and Kim Yong-un.
"I wondered why Trump often looked angry and Kim smiled, but often threatened to use nuclear weapons. The paintings are examinations of their brains to find out what is inside their minds," Kespada said.
Kespada conducted much research on science wars and nuclear weapons, so most of his artworks are informative. However, two paintings, Mechanism Of Occultism 1 and 2 were created impulsively.
"I worked on these two abstract pieces by using improvisation. There was no sketch and no pre-plan. I hope it will present something different that viewers can interpret in their own way," Kespada said.
'Spiritual Gates' was created to mock the belief of Thai ghosts.
Pathomkron Treethep and 'Spiritual Gates'.
Pathomkron Treethep Spiritual Gates
Pathomkron created the collection "Spiritual Gates" to link with the location of the Joyman Gallery which is on Mahachai Road. During the reign of King Rama I, this area was called Spiritual Gate because corpses that were sent out to be cremated had to pass through the gate. Pathomkron questions issues about science, superstition and consumerism through formats of humorous sci-fi fiction, album covers and commercial posters.
"Spiritual Gates", which portrays an astronaut hitchhiking in front of the Joyman Gallery, expresses the artist's sense of humour to mock Thai ghost movies and the belief of Thai ghosts.
"We are familiar with the story that says a ghost hitchhikes at night. This astronaut wants to go to the outer world, so he has to hitchhike a ride in the area around the spiritual gate," Pathomkron said.
The painting Imagination Is More Important Than Knowledge illustrates the head of renowned physicist Albert Einstein floating in outer space with seven lotuses on the ground. This work questions the beliefs of Buddhists.
Imagination Is More Important Than Knowledge.
"Einstein symbolises science and practical reason. The seven lotuses are from a legend that said after Buddha or Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born, he walked seven steps and a lotus appeared as he took each step. It raises another question," Pathomkron said.
Pathomkron is a music enthusiast who is obsessed with designs of album covers. Some of his works were inspired from album covers.
"The painting Born -- Nirvana was inspired by album covers of the rock band Nirvana. It illustrates the anatomy of a pregnant woman and lilies which symbolise purity and love. It means beauty of living. I was also inspired by posters. I believe a poster is propaganda for consumerism. Every painting in this collection raises a question and viewers will answer based on their background and beliefs," Pathomkron said.
"Sacred Now" runs until Feb 14 at Joyman Gallery, Mahachai Road. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/JoymanGallery or call 065-124-2222.
'Spiritual Gates' was created to mock the belief of Thai ghosts.
