Pen People Mar 2018

to not consume so much. Sudrak
has been influenced by that attitude
so, rather than do sculpture
since she’s a painter, she’s taking
objects and painting on them, dimensionalizing
the format she’s
painting on.”
In her studio on the grounds of
the Zask residence, Sudrak shows
the first fruits of her endeavor:
She’s already painted on the rear
casing of a guitar and on a galvanized
washboard. She’s also attached
small stones and pieces of
wood to other canvases (a few
lengths from a toy railroad track
now serve as a vertical ladder in
one picture). While hard to roll up
into a mailing tube, the works are
impressive in that what’s been incorporated
doesn’t seem out of
place or merely applied in a moment
of whimsy. No, each addition
is carefully weighed, and contributes
to the overall effect.
Accompanied by her hosts, Sudrak
has made several trips to the
tide pools at the base of Portuguese
Bend, and with Ben Zask has gone
to estate sales and other places
where intriguing objects have been
acquired. It’s not the way that Sudrak
has approached her art all
these years, but it’s a branching out
that’s bound to throw open new
Sudrak Khongpuang at Sand Cove in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Photo by Peggy Zask
doors and become a part of her
artistic vision once she’s returned
to Thailand.
When we stand before Sudrak’s
paintings it’s more than merely
looking into a bucolic landscape.
It’s also looking into work that
sidesteps anger or confusion or
confrontation, whether political,
sociological, or ecological. Instead,
her pictures radiate harmony and
whisper to us what’s possible on a
balanced planet. This is art to
nourish the soul.
Sudrak Khongpuang: A Tale of
Two Shores is just that, work
brought from Thailand and work produced
here, on the Peninsula or at
South Bay Contemporary/SoLA
Gallery, where the artist is currently
painting, Thursday through Saturday,
11 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the gallery is
also open to the public. A reception
takes place on Saturday, Feb. 24,
from 4 to 7 p.m. 3718 W. Slauson
Ave., Los Angeles. A few days after
that, Sudrak returns to Thailand, but
always with the prospect of returning
and sharing more of her rich and vibrant
work. (310) 429-0973 or go to
southbaycontemporary.org. PEN
Destination: Art presents a
Designer Forum and Gallery Talk
Tuesday, March 6, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Richard McKinley, President of the International Association of
Pastel Societies and Signature Master Pastelist will lead
the Panel Discussion on art, decor and design.
Forum Speakers:
Konni Tanaka - Konni Tanaka Design Group, RHE
Michelle Gainer - Architect, South Bay
Dot Butler - Dot Butler Design, PVE
Stay for the Gallery Talk by Richard McKinley!
Reserve your space at the event by purchasing $10 tickets at
www.destination-art.net
Destination: Art
1815 W 213th St #135, Torrance
310-742-3192
Submit a question for the Forum Panelists or for more info:
LocalArtists@destination-art.net
March 2018 • Peninsula 47