Fah Thai Magazine Mar-Apr 2020

ART MOVEMENT
Bottom
The Singapore
Biennale 2019
invites the public to
engage in artistic
exploration.
The Singapore Biennale is
among the largest art exhibitions
in the region, and the strong
presence of Thai artists in this
year’s showcase is proof that
contemporary art in the Kingdom
is indeed thriving. “In a country
that lacks art museums, I think
the Biennale boom in 2018
marked a significant turn in
the history of art in Thailand,”
explains Vipash Purichanont,
curator of the Biennale.
“In the last two years we
had the Bangkok Art Biennale,
Bangkok Biennale and the Thailand
Biennale. Artists from different
parts of the country also had
the chance to show their work
in several new international
exhibitions. These platforms gave
Thai artists the chance to exchange
ideas and interact with artists
from other countries, as well as to
showcase their works to local and
international audiences,” he adds.
However, contemporary art,
or experimental works created
since the second half of the 20th
century, is still taking baby steps
in Thailand. So despite the growing
interest, says Vipash, the new
biennales may not necessarily be
a leap towards maturity. For that
to happen will require a degree of
perseverance. “I hope that every
new international exhibition from
2018 survives to its second edition
in 2020. We need to see how it
unfolds. Given that Singapore
Biennale 2019 is in its sixth
edition, we were relatively quite
late to the game.”
A SHOWCASE OF IDEAS
But as the saying goes, better
late than never, and for that
reason alone, it bodes well for
the Thai art community that
several of its leading figures
have work on show at this year’s
Singapore Biennale. Thai artists
Ruangsak Anuwatwimon, Arnont
Nongyao and Paphonsak La-or
are seasoned veterans who are
lending their vision and creativity
to this year’s theme of “Every
Step in the Right Direction”,
challenging viewers to think
about the future – economically,
ecologically and aesthetically.
Contemporary art, or experimental
works created since the second half
of the 20th century, is still taking
baby steps in Thailand.
Top Left
Ruangsak Anuwatwimon’s
‘Reincarnations’ drawing
in detail
Below
The Singapore Biennale runs
until 22 March 2020 across
11 venues in the city.
Top Centre
Paphonsak La-or
Bottom Left
Ruangsak draws inspiration
from the natural world for his
art installations.
Top Right
A close-up of paintings used
in ‘Far From Home’
Bottom Centre
Ruangsak Anuwatwimon
Left
Paphonsak working on his
installation.
Bottom Right
‘Reincarnations’ examines
species that are now extinct
or endangered.
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