‘RIFTS: Thai Contemporary Artistic Practices in Transition, 1980s – 2000s’ : Traces the footsteps of Thai modern contemporary art

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre

Aug 30 - Nov 24, 2019

From 30^th August to 24^th November 2019, a large-scale exhibition 'RIFTS: Thai contemporary artistic practices in transition, 1980s - 2000s' was held at the main gallery on the ninth floor of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, that followed Thai contemporary art by age from the late 1980s to the 2000s. From the beginning of the challenge to the artistic power structure, along with the creation of independent art spaces and the linkage of cross-border art networks, avant-garde artworks could be seen, and in the artworks you could find the movement that led to today's contemporary art scene exhibited. This exhibition was a comprehensive summary of the practices and ideologies of the arts which were established and emerged during that period.

About the RIFTS exhibition

The exhibition featured works carefully selected from artwork archives by thirteen Thai artists who received art education in Thailand and overseas. The artworks that used various materials by artists who challenge the current state of the artistic world, raise questions about the limited artistic framework that has been formed by traditional values, and the ideal and habitual concepts of aesthetics. They also raise questions about cultural values and the criticism of social structures, as well as about class and gender issues.

Participating artists and main works

Kamol Paosavasdi
Born in Bangkok, 1958
He received a bachelor's degree in Art Education from Chulalongkorn University and a master's degree from Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design (Los Angeles, USA). He is a pioneer of Thailand's new media art, in particular video art and installation art which are exhibited internationally. At this exhibition, installation work with videos, scrap materials and other materials, 'Song for the Dead Art Exhibition' was exhibited.

Montien Boonma (1953-2000)
Born in Udon Thani province
After studying painting, sculpture and graphic art at the University of Silpakorn, he studied sculpture at Université Paris VIII. He was a pioneering artist who created conceptual art that reflected his identity.  His work evokes Buddhist philosophy and a sensory experience for the audience.

Pinaree Sanpitak
Born in Bangkok, 1961
She received a bachelor's degree from the School of Fine Arts and Design at the University of Tsukuba (Japan). She creates paintings, photographs, sculptures, and installations, etc. that explore the materiality of women's bodies and organs.

Kamin Lertchaipraser
Born in Lopburi province in 1964
After graduating from the School of Art and Sculpture and Graphic Arts at the University of Silpakorn, he moved to New York. His work, which incorporates religious philosophy, includes prints, sculptures and installations from a wide range of media.

Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook
Born in Trat province in 1957
She received a bachelor's degree in sculpture, graphic arts, and painting from the University of Silpakorn, and studied at Braunschweig University of Art (Germany).
There are videos and texts that include either sculptures or installations or both. The screened 'Reading for One Female Corpse' has been introduced as her turning point piece.

Prasong Luemuang
Born in Lamphun province in 1962
Studied sculpture and graphic art at the University of Silpakorn. The works utilize traditional and modern art techniques, and this exhibition work was awarded the National Art Award and the National Art Exhibition.

Tawatchai Puntusawasdi
Born in Bangkok, 1971
He received a bachelor's degree in sculpture from the School of Art, Chiang Mai University, and a master's degree from the School of Painting and Sculpture and Graphic Arts, Silpakorn University. As an artist who can be said to have opened a new door in the Thai art scene, he presents sculptures that emphasize the interaction between shape and space to explore new possibilities.

Chumpon Apisuk
Born in Nan province in 1948
After studying painting, sculpture, and graphic arts at the University of Silpakorn, he became involved in art education at the Boston Art School with Tang Chang, and returned to Thailand in the late 1980s. He is one of the pioneers of performance art and is also involved in social and political movements.

Manit Sriwanichpoom
Born in Bangkok, 1961
Graduated from the School of Art, Srinakharinwirot University. He is one of the leading photographers in Southeast Asia and also one of the first men to establish a photo gallery in Thailand quite early on. There are works such as those dealing with documentaries on political themes and contemporary events.

Navin Rawanchaikul
Born in Chiang Mai Province in 1971
Graduated from the Department of Art, Chiang Mai University. He is one of the pioneers of community-based art projects.

Michael Shaowanasai 
Born in 1964 in Philadelphia (USA)
Finished a Master of Fine Arts from the Art Institute of Chicago. He develops artwork that uses a variety of media, including videos, installation art, and photos.

Rirkrit Tiravanija
Born in Buenos Aires (Argentina) in 1961
Rirkrit Tiravanija is a Thai contemporary artist who grew up in several countries and currently lives between New York, Berlin and Chiang Mai. He received a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the Ontario College of Art and Design University, Canada, and a master's degree from the School of Art Institute of Chicago. He creates unique artworks using cooking utensils.

Chatchai Puipia
Born in 1964 in Maha Sarakham province
Graduated from the School of Graphic Arts and Sculpture, University of Silpakorn. His oil painting was one of the most influential ones in the contemporary art scene in Southeast Asia in the 1990s. Sculptures and installations are also produced.

Important exhibition to unravel the history of Thai contemporary art

In order to learn about the history of Thai contemporary art, the works of artists from the late 1980s to the 2000s became a valuable exhibition of works that interacted with each other.

'RIFTS: Thai contemporary artistic practices in transition, 1980s - 2000s'
Duration: 30^th August - 24^th November 2019
Venue: 9F Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Main Gallery

Curators:
Chol Janepraphaphan,
Kasamaponn Saengsuratham

Artists:
Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook, Chatchai Puipia, Chumpon Apisuk, Kamin Lertchaiprasert, Kamol Phaosavasdi, Manit Sriwanichpoom, Michael Shaowanasai, Montien Boonma, Navin Rawanchaikul, Pinaree Sanpitak, Prasong Luemuang, Rirkrit Tiravanija and Tawatchai Puntusawasdi