As one of Thailand's three southern border provinces, Pattani is often associated with violence despite offering interesting characteristics. At Xspace Gallery, "Patani Abstract" showcases work from 10 artists affiliated with Patani Artspace -- the first art space in the three southern border provinces. "Patani Abstract" offers diverse perspectives of the region through abstract art.
Anuwat Apimukmongkon, the curator and also one of the artists at the exhibition, explained that many artists from Patani Artspace typically create artwork that conveys their messages in a straightforward manner.
"When artists create abstract art, their work allows more interpretation. Abstract art has the potential to convey universal meaning as art elements like colours, shapes and forms are a universal language. We believe that abstract art will assist those who are unfamiliar with Pattani gain better understanding of the region," explained Anuwat.
People who do not have background in art may feel that abstract art is difficult to interpret. Anuwat explained that people assume that abstract art is difficult to understand because they focus on artwork created by veterans or successful artists who develop their artwork and present them with few colours and lines.
"In fact children who start painting and drawing begin with a few lines that people may not understand. Abstract art is simple. In Japan, children are taken to museums to view abstract art because it does not require much understanding. People may interpret the colour black in several ways, but in general, black is associated with misery, darkness or blindness. Meanwhile, a vertical line represents strength and security, and a horizontal line symbolises peace and tranquillity. In this exhibition, it was a challenge for artists to use fewer lines and colours to create abstract art," said Anuwat.
Many visitors may assume that most artists reflect only on the unrest in southern Thailand, but the exhibition offers several facets of Pattani.
Bride To Be by Kameelah I-lala.
"People often associate Pattani with violence, Islam and the emergency decree. They may forget that people who live there are human beings who have regular lives, just like people in other areas. An artist can present aspects of nature, dreams and routine activities. The exhibition offers diversity," said Anuwat.
Kameelah I-lala, a female artist, displays three embroideries on canvas in Bride To Be. Each embroidery presents a part of a wedding gown in unique colours. Kameelah was inspired by her experience of a relative who became a widow because the groom was shot on the wedding day. She aims to express the dream of a woman who wanted to get married and start a family, but her dream was shattered due to the unrest in the South. Kameelah's initial series depicts brides with either blank or black faces in black and white colours.
"The embroidery pieces were inspired by traditional Muslim wedding gowns which feature vivid colours such as red and gold. Bridal gowns are typically in white or pastel colours. Bride To Be reflects local culture through colour and lace. The dreams of brides-to-be are conveyed through exquisite, delicate and intricate embroidery of lace and beads," Anuwat explained.
As an artist, Anuwat, is known for artworks inspired by Banglee, his junior at the College of Fine Arts. Banglee is an LGBTI Muslim who addresses several sensitive issues. At "Patani Abstract", Anuwat presents The Spiritual Face Of Banglee through crayon and mixed media.
"I included The Spiritual Face Of Banglee to represent an aspect of gender. Many religions believe that souls exist before people are born. A soul has no specific form which I believe is similar to dust that can inhabit any shape and form. I used crayons to create powder paint and crafted portraits using a herbal compress. The portraits represent people of different races and religions all of whom are born as humans and will ultimately return to dust," Anuwat explained.
When Muhammadtoha Hayiyusoh searched the word Pattani on Google, the results showed only violent images of the province. The artist decided to present the beautiful sides of Pattani by creating a painting series called Landscape Patani. The collection depicts the stunning landscapes in Pattani in pixelated form.
Suan Yang Para 1 and Suan Yang Para 2 by Esuwan Chali.
"The pixels symbolise that these spectacular landscapes are hidden. The painting Landscape Patani 3 was inspired by the lively second-hand market Rusamilae, so it features several vivid colours," he explained.
The artist Esuwan Chali grew up in a family that works as rubber tappers. After the imposition of the emergency decree in the Deep South, military officers claimed authority to oversee the area and sometimes stayed at local people's rubber plantations at night. Armed intrusion without warning frightens people and make them feel unsafe. Although rubber tapping during the day is less productive, most tappers in the Deep South have to work during daylight for their own safety.
Esuwan created two acrylic paintings with rubber woods on canvas, Suan Yang Para 1 and Suan Yang Para 2, which portray rubber plantations and the camouflage patterns of military uniform.
Due to pesticides, the number of insects that help plants reproduce by transferring pollen have significantly decreased. Pichet Piaklin, who has an interest in the environment, created Dokmai Mai Jamnan (A Flower Does Not Talk), using Batik colours, acrylic colours and stencils on paper. He reflects the value of insects in the ecosystem with exquisite insect wings and flower petals.
"Dokmai Mai Jamnan has a double meaning. Insect wings refer to the wings of the insect alates. When alates shed their wings, they cannot fly, similar to people in the Deep South who cannot be free. The background paintings are in dark colours, which imply violence. If people do not realise the value of environment and contribute to its collapse, they will not survive. The state of tranquillity is an essential component of life. Everything must have harmony, so that everything can coexist happily in peace," Anuwat explained.
Although artists cannot make a huge impact or change policy, Patani Artspace serves as a safe space for local people to express their opinions and sentiments.
Dokmai Mai Jamnan by Pichet Piaklin.
"Art is a tool to fight without words, weapons and violence. It is a true soft power for people in the southernmost provinces. Ambassadors and representatives from international organisations have visited and endorsed Patani Artspace as a safe space for local people. Residents in the area feel they are part of a community and believe they can express themselves through the process of art when they encounter difficulties," Anuwat said.
"I hope that people will see Pattani from other different perspectives than the way they usually do. When artists communicate with viewers through art, viewers do not need any text explanation. Viewers directly perceive emotions and it is pure emotion and feeling. Viewers hardly need to read captions and descriptions. What matters is how viewers feel towards the artworks," he said.
"Patani Abstract" runs at Xspace Art Hall Vol 3 at Xspace Gallery until Feb 29. Admission is free. For more information, visit facebook.com/Xspaceartgallery.
The Spiritual Face Of Banglee by Anuwat Apimukmongkon.
Landscape Patani series by Muhammadtoha Hayiyusoh.
Landscape Patani 3 by Muhammadtoha Hayiyusoh.
