Art lecturer and artist Preecha Nualnim's work is a collaboration between his creative talent and eye for detail which has once again surfaced in his latest exhibition titled "Worship Objects, Symbols Of Holiness In The Context Of Roadside Culture", which is being featured at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), from today until Dec 27.
His work is inspired by the elephant statues offered to the Chao Pu Kham Hua Chang shrine, along the route of Mittaphap Road in Khon Kaen Province.
Preecha uses his expertise in visual arts for styling the photography, video art, mixed media art and installation art, which makes it a real feast for the senses.
The visual art exhibition is a reflection of the deep-rooted coexistence of Buddhism, Brahmanism and mysticism in Thai society which impacts our thought patterns and belief system. The artist skilfully uses simple shapes, symbols and patterns as tools to create a picture of how ceremonial offerings are held at sacred spaces that induce belief and fear of inexplicable supernatural phenomena in that location.
For example, Preecha takes the face of Chao Pu Kham Hua Chang to represent a guardian spirit, using the image together with statues of elephants, women, soldiers, nurses and others to convey a somewhat sacred yet fearful feel to his artwork.
He picked the location along Highway 2 of Mittaphap Road where the shrine is located largely because locals in the area find this a sacred place to ask spirits about what they desire in life. There is a strong sense of the supernatural here and it evokes fear of the unseen among worshippers, thus adding to its allure.
Spirituality is the common theme that threads together the tapestry Preecha lays out for the audience to interpret.
This exhibition comes at a time when our world is still adjusting to the new normal and the economic and social changes it has brought. While navigating life's turbulent waters, society is increasingly in need of an anchor that will help people realise that they are not alone. For many, delving into the supernatural is a form of escapism that offers temporary respite.
Belief of mystical powers in Thai society are often taught by monks and shaman and these practices are passed on from one generation to the next via local communities. Today, such beliefs have integrated into modern-day Thailand.
Preecha hopes that through the searching of rituals, beliefs and faith, we can better understand how spirituality impacts people's lives.
For more information, visit bacc.or.th.
