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Fifteen Thai artists have come together to create a unique platform with the theme of “freedom” in mind
For this month only, Siwilai has called on 15 Thai artists to participate in a multi-week exhibition, presenting artworks that touch upon certain social issues beneath their bright and calculated visuals. This art event at Central Embassy has an alliterative name—Sawang Sawai Siwilai—that refers to “shining bright”, which is essentially Siwilai’s goal for the artists and the Thai art scene as a whole.
“We strongly believe in the power of art and culture as vehicles of hope, of a future worth striving for, especially in the face of current circumstances,” says Siwilai founder Barom Bhicharnchitr, adding, “We should be honoured to be able to provide a central platform where the works and voices of Thai artists can be widely seen and heard.”
The participating artists were given the theme “freedom” to translate into their individual crafts. Including painters, sculptures, animators, videographers and many other types of artists, some are showcasing never-before-seen works, making the exhibition evermore exciting for fans and first-timers alike. In addition to displayed art, the artists have also created limited-edition collectables, workshops and live events to keep things exciting.
Here are some of the highlights of Sawang Sawai Siwilai:
Mit Jai Inn’s Siam Rainbow Republic
Chiang Mai-born painter Mit Jai Inn presents painted rainbows, displaying them in an open space, unfettered and unframed. Boldly disregarding the traditional method of art display, the piece, Siam Rainbow Republic, allows viewers to walk freely under it as they immerse themselves without being confined by typical display boundaries.
Harit Srikhao uses photography to showcase how his experiences and memories have been influenced by nationalistic propaganda pushed by the media. In his piece Mt Meru, mythical imagery is blended with his photography to depict the intense political and social outrage following the 2006 coup in Bangkok. The piece highlights the imposition of colonialism in Thai history, as well as the questions that have started to emerge in Thai society on faith and morality.
Nutdanai Jitbunjong’s Pillars Babel
Another standout piece within the exhibition is Nutdanai Jitbunjong’s Pillars Babel, which takes direct inspiration from the Tower of Babel, an extremely tall tower built in the ancient city of Babylon. As it was a disrespectful attempt by humans to reach the heavens, God supposedly cursed us by inventing different languages. With the sudden breakdown of communication, the tower was never completed. Inspired by this symbol of human ambition, Nutdanai created his own tower with 112 blocks as a representation of how Thais are trying to build a path towards freedom of expression and democracy.
To see the rest of the artworks from more Thai contemporary artists, visit Siwilai outlets at Central Embassy from today until March 27. For more information on Sawang Sawai Siwilai, call 02-119-7777 or visit centralembassy.com.
