People always connect with nature but after they invent new creations, they become connected to their own creations as well. Two art exhibitions, "The Macro Movements Of Material I And II", present the concepts of four artists who use different materials rather than fundamental tools -- pencils, brushes, colours and canvases -- to convey their own concepts. While "The Macro Movements Of Material I" was displayed online for Art Central Hong Kong last year, the second edition is currently on show at Rosewood Bangkok Hotel. Life spoke to two of the four artists -- Weerapong Sansomporn and Thanathorn Suppakijjumnong -- about their works.
Thanathorn, who is well-known for creating artwork from typewriters, uses lottery tickets to create images of gifts for orphans in her collection "Fulfill". Weerapong is recognised for his elaborate metal works which resemble delicate formations often seen in fabrics and earthly forces. At his latest exhibition, "Bond Of Life", he displays metal weaving artworks as well as painting on wood.
"All materials can relate to people whether they are man-made or are nature's creations. Each material has its own value. Artists will see the value of each material differently and present it in their own ways," Weerapong said.
Far left The Seeds is an elaborate copper weaving. (Photo: SAC Gallery)
Weerapong Sansomporn Bond Of Life
Weerapong started painting since he earned his Master's in visual arts from the Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts, Silpakorn University. He then tried to explore other materials to make more impact on viewers.
"I do not limit myself to working on wood or metal. I can work on any material which supports my motifs and can pass on my ideas most effectively," said Weerapong.
Five artworks by Weerapong are from two different collections -- "Bond Of Life" which consists of three metal weavings and another, nameless, collection which includes two oil and acrylic paintings on wood. Growing up in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Weerapong lived close to nature. When he moved to study in Bangkok, he noticed that city people liked to grow plants in their places, so they could feel close to nature. In contrast, his hometown gradually turned into an urban area.
"I wanted to create artworks with several layers to make it look like piled up soil. If it's a painting on canvas, it will be flat and cannot make much impact on viewers. Hence, I decided to use several layers of wood. The paintings Prosperous Land and Current, Life portray how urban areas and nature link together. I conducted research about river banks and cropped a part of the Chao Phraya River's map to use. The orange colour represents the metropolitan while blue and turquoise refer to nature," explained Weerapong.
In Prosperous Land, left, and Current, Life, right, the orange colours represent the metropolitan while blue and turquoise refer to nature.
Weerapong strongly believes that urban area and nature can exist together and he conveys this idea in "Bond Of Life", which consists of three exquisite metal weavings -- Gold & Silver Sack, The Seeds and Ruam Pueng. In the collection, Weerapong used natural forms such as seeds and trees to design his metal works and then wove copper to build up the creation. His elaborate weavings created striking sculptures which made copper wires look like nature's creations. Before discovering that copper wire is the most suitable material for his concept, he went through several experiments using iron, stainless steel and aluminium.
"Natural forms of seeds and trees represent nature while copper wire is a man-made material, so it refers to industry. Then, I weave a man-made material into a natural form, so it is like people returning to nature. I believe that rural areas need development and city people want to have some natural environment. Before I used copper to create works. I tried other metals and found they had limitation such as being too stiff or the fibres were too large and inflexible. However, many visitors are afraid of copper because they are worried about lightning. In fact, it is safe because it is coated with insulating materials," he explained.
Weerapong is a full-time artist and a part-time lecturer who teaches art students at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology and Thammasat University.
"Art is my life. I am ecstatic with every piece. When I work on a piece, it is like having an adventure and having to solve a problem. I gradually weave materials until they are complete every day. I feel guilty if I do not create any artwork. When people ask me why I don't take a break, I tell them that this is how I relax. I enjoy what I am doing," said Weerapong.
Thanathorn Suppakijjumnong and 'Fulfill'.
Thanathorn Suppakijjumnong Fulfill
Thanathorn was an award winner at the 5th White Elephant Art Awards in 2016 for her typewriter collection "Love And Relationship". The collection was inspired by a typing school which used to be her family business. After the school closed down, the artist developed a printmaking technique with typewriters. Her artwork involves painstaking cutting, folding and arranging numerous tiny pieces of paper to resemble images of people. She also employs words on paper to make her work more meaningful.
"I have been working by using a typewriter as one of my tools for five years because the typewriter is like my brush. I want to try something new with a typewriter. After spending time with typewriters, I discovered that 44 Thai letters create different tones. I also changed the type of paper. At the beginning, I used Thai mulberry paper. Since I wanted viewers to be able to easily read the messages on the artwork, I did not frame my work. When mulberry paper is exposed to air, it turns yellow, so I used Japanese paper, awagami, instead. The paper quality is excellent and the colours are beautiful and many. It can last for decades," explained Thanathorn.
Thanathorn came up with the idea for her latest collection, "Fulfill", when she visited an orphanage. She witnessed children who were at first unhappy become excited when she provided them with snacks and gifts. After seeing piles of her wasted lottery tickets at home, she decided to apply them into her work. All five images of "Fulfill" portray a girl or a boy with a big smile; especially, the ones who hold a present in their hands. Each paper, which is folded to create images, features encouraging words such as "Where there's a will, there's a way".
SAC Gallery.
"Lottery tickets usually remind people of luck and reward. In each work, I use lottery tickets to create images of warm surroundings and gifts such as a doll and a book. Giving brings happiness to the receiver, so I hope people will share things with underprivileged children. This can fulfil them," said Thanathorn.
A piece in "Fulfill" received the Honorable Mention Prize at White Elephant Art Awards last year. Even though Thanathorn had won first place in 2016, she did not feel disappointed to receive a lesser award.
"I actually did not expect to receive any award. I participate in many competitions because it is an opportunity to showcase my work. It is better than no one seeing it. I sometimes received positive comments from visitors through my social media after they viewed my work at a competition," said Thanathorn.
"The Macro Movements Of Material II" runs at Art Connection, 3rd floor, Rosewood Bangkok Hotel, Phloenchit Road, until Feb 28. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/RosewoodBangkok or call 02-080-0088.
The artist types words on paper.
Ruam Pueng by Weerapong
Thanathorn uses lottery tickets to create images of gifts for children.
