A visual interpretation of Buddhist precepts is presented through sculptural works by two young Thai artists in "Vanishing Point" at Alliance Francaise in Chiang Mai, until Sept 30.
A sculpture by Xin Chaikul. (Photos: Alliance Francaise Chiang Mai)
Both Xin Chaikul and Worasit Kileksi employ raw, natural or recycled materials to create sculptures in simple shapes, bringing viewers to meditate on the essentials and reminding us of the humble place humans occupy in the living world.
Ephemerality and transience are central to Xin's process. Whether it is ancient teak wood carved for months or a simple vegetable scripted with Buddhist sayings, the relation to time is crucial. Her installations and sculptures invite viewers to contemplate the transitory nature of life and embrace the preciousness of each moment.
For this exhibition, Xin showcases a new set of scripted vegetables as well as her diploma piece, Beginner's Mind, consisting of 16 teak wood carvings.
Worasit, meanwhile, presents a new set of terracotta sculptures as well as his Buddha figures made from recycled material. The minimalism of his shapes evokes primitive Buddhist folk art. The ancestral terracotta technique allows him to integrate the making process as part of his artwork.
The transitory states of the raw clay, its malleability as it is humid, then dry and finally burned, encapsulates the four elements and basic Buddhist principle of impermanence.
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Artwork by Worasit Kileksi.
