Dhanut Tungsuwan is an up-and-coming artist who has had a number of exhibitions showing off his immense talent and work in Britain. A Harrow alum, he studied art and design at Central Saint Martins and Chelsea College of Art & Design. He's now back in Thailand where he recently opened a new exhibition entitled "Transitions" at Tadu Contemporary Art by Thaiyarnyon. Guru spoke to him about the exhibition, and his ideas and inspiration.
Give us a low-down about your new exhibition.
I think it's very true to the title. Collectively, the works are a visual documentation of the process of me expanding my territory of practice. The transition. I was very interested in spaces, particularly landscapes as for me they allude to notions of romanticism, which is a big inspiration and interest for me. I only painted spaces for a long while and was never interested in any objects of subjects within the spaces. I think this marks a starting point for me, perhaps filling in these spaces with a narrative that would really further the conversation I hope these paintings are a part of. All in all, the down-low is expect more of some of the paintings in the show.
Why did you choose to name it 'Transitions'?
Because it really is a transition period for me. An enjoyable one, too. However, with equal importance, I feel it alludes to what society is going through. A transition period into this world in between, a third world that resides in between reality and the digital realm; affecting the way we think, we communicate, we learn, we remember and so much more.
What do you think about our increasingly interconnected world?
Every time this topic comes up in conversation I always think about a science-fiction short story written by E.M. Forster called The Machine Stops from the early 1900s. In that world, due to conditions of the Earth, people are forced to live underground in pods, and he talks about how they're super connected via video call or instant video conference as he calls it, as well as being accompanied by this omnipotent machine, i.e. Google today. When I think about it, I feel that it definitely has its positives, but the skeptic in me can't help but think that it may be the beginning of a much darker, lonelier time in many ways.
What are some of the biggest challenges artists like you face in Thailand?
Probably the same things artists everywhere face : coming up with ideas, being motivated to research, being inspired, as well as finding a good studio that you can afford and making enough money to sustain an acceptable lifestyle. In terms of reception of art, especially more contemporary art, I feel like there are people that appreciate and understand it all over the world, and most definitely plenty in Thailand.
Photos courtesy of Dhanut Tungsuwan
You've done a lot of exhibitions in Britain, but only one in Thailand last January. What took so long to do an exhibition here?
The only explanation is logistics. I spent a lot of time in the UK, more than half my life. I was painting and making work there, and at the level I was at it just didn't make sense to bring them over here to do a show.
Will your work will be received differently here compared to the UK?
Yes, I think so, because I'll be joining a different conversation of art, although I must say I'm not entirely sure how exactly, as of now.
Your work varies from landscapes, drawings of sculptures and a painting of a fish with a rocketship and boats. Where do you get your ideas and inspiration from?
I think a lot of my ideas and inspiration comes from personal experiences. Most of what I've done in the recent years has been about documenting and observing the digital part of our lives, specifically what happens to information when it's uploaded online and also digital simulations. Romanticism also plays a large role in my work. I'm interested in symbolism within objects, how they've stood the test of time and social/technological progression. I'd like to think that as romanticism was in part driven by the Industrial Revolution, what I'm doing is a retort of some sort, or perhaps a reaction to the digital revolution that is occurring today. I think that's similar to the manner in which we're bombarded with information through our screens via the internet. My paintings are random and they reference things that are perhaps on the surface very far apart, like fish and rockets.
Do you prefer drawing, painting or photography?
Definitely painting, I find the process therapeutic in many ways. Gives you time to think and sometimes to not think.
Is there an art medium that you want to try but haven't?
Making videos. I've always been a massive fan of films, especially older science-fiction films where all the sets had to physically be made. I think that it's a matter of time before I make a film.
You started off studying at Harrow in Thailand before traveling to the UK to finish your studies and now you're an artist. What's your advice for young aspiring artists who one day want to have their own works exhibited like you?
Everyone has their time. Every dog has its day, I think it's important to work at your own pace and not compare yourself to other people in your field. Success isn't a race, although the right amount of pressure is always good. I think that consistency is key. Be true to yourself and establish your own territory of practice and interests. Keep working at it and think about your work. Also it's really important that you enjoy doing what you're doing!
