Nature of the Work

Srijai Kuntawang Misho James Su Pichai Pongsasaovapark

Nature of the Work Exhibition

Artists: Srijai Kuntawang Misho James Su Pichai Pongsasaovapark

Traveling Exhibition:

16-27 February 2016 Opening Reception on 18 February 2016, 18:00 pm at Subhashok The Arts Centre (S.A.C.), Bangkok, Thailand

3-27 March 2016 Opening Reception on 3 March 2016, 18:00 pm at Art Bridge Chiang Rai (ABCR), Chiang Rai, Thailand

1-14 April 2016 at Shanghai Xiang Jiang Gallery, Shanghai, China

Bam spoke with participating artist (and curator of this exhibition) Pichai Pongsasaovapark about the pressing need to re-discover harmony with nature:

- How does art go beyond examining the relationship between man and nature to re-establish balance?

Art can be a way to explore relationships, both by observing and critiquing, and it can provide new insights to the viewer. In my work, I have been exploring the relationships between man and his surroundings, whether in urban and man-made or natural environments, showing how we have caused an imbalance with nature which needs to be rectified to be able to return to a healthy balance. I want my art to make people see things they would not have noticed or thought about otherwise.

In my series “Altered Terrains” I looked at the impact of environmentally unconscious planning and construction on urban life in Chiang Mai and the damage being created. In my series, “Catastrophic Climate Change” I explored how man’s abuse of the environment is damaging our life and world, whether by urban flooding from rising sea levels, the impact from devastating droughts, or from pollution of the air we breathe. My paintings “Poison Flower” from my series “The Air We Breathe” were created entirely by capturing the exhaust emissions of carbon and other pollutants from vehicle emissions thereby forcing the viewer to realize that what looks beautiful is actually dangerous to our health.

Bangkok Art Map (BAM), 02.2016

ธรรมชาติ.....ศิลปะ

มนุษย์กับธรรมชาติอยู่ร่วมกันอย่างสอดคล้องสมดุลตาม ครรลองแห่งจักรวาลมาแต่โบราณกาล ไม่นานมานี้ มนุษย์ได้ล้มล้างดุลยภาพดังกล่าวด้วยการใช้ทรัพยากรธรรมชาติอย่างไม่บันยะบันยัง และทำลายสิ่งแวดล้อมทั้งเพื่อความก้าวหน้าทางเศรษฐกิจและความอยู่รอด

มนุษย์ต้องการอาหาร ที่อยู่อาศัย และเครื่องนุ่งห่ม เพื่อความอยู่รอด แต่ประชากรที่เพิ่มขึ้นอย่างขาดการควบคุม ประกอบกับการต้องจัดหาปัจจัยพื้นฐานอย่างไร้จุดสิ้นสุดอยู่ตลอดเวลา ได้ลดปริมาณทรัพยากรธรรมชาติลงจนถึงจุดที่ไม่อาจทดแทนได้ สิ่งแวดล้อมถูกทำลาย เช่นการล่มสลายจากการตัดโค่นที่กำลังเกิดขึ้นกับป่าไม้ทั่วโลก

ศิลปินสี่คนจากภูมิหลังที่แตกต่าง มีปฏิกิริยาต่อความหายนะที่กำลังเกิดขึ้นแก่โลกด้วยมุมมองที่ต่างกัน เป็นการนำเสนอบทบาทของป่าไม้และต้นไม้ในสิ่งแวดล้อม และบอกเล่า วิธีการคืนสู่สมดุลพร้อมทั้งปกป้องอนาคตของเราไปพร้อมกัน

ในฐานะภัณฑารักษ์และศิลปินผู้มีส่วนร่วม ผมมองหาศิลปิน ผู้ไม่เพียงส่งผลงานเข้าแสดง แต่ยังต้องสามารถช่วยกันสร้างสรรค์ศิลปะเป็นผลงานร่วม เป็นการย้ำถึงความจำเป็นที่มนุษยชาติจะต้องทำงานร่วมกันเพื่อแก้ปัญหาใหญ่นี้ให้ได้ ศิลปินแต่ละท่าน ได้แก่ ศรีใจ กันทะวัง, มิโช, เจมส์ ซู และพิชัย พงศาเสาวภาคย์ สร้างงานศิลปะด้วยสื่อต่างชนิด ทั้งภาพวาดเส้น จิตรกรรม ภาพถ่าย ภาพพิมพ์ และดิจิทัล อาร์ท ซึ่งรวมกันเป็นเสมือนคำประกาศและเรียกร้องว่าถึงเวลาแล้วท่ีชาวโลกจะต้องมีความตระหนักและร่วมกันปกป้องส่ิงแวดล้อม

นิทรรศการธรรมชาติกับสิ่งแวดล้อมจะจัดที่กรุงเทพมหานคร และจังหวัดเชียงราย ประเทศไทย และที่นครเซี่ยงไฮ้ สาธารณรัฐประชาชนจีน

พิชัย พงศาเสาวภาคย์ ศิลปิน และภัณฑารักษ์ 18 กุมภาพันธ์ 2559

Introduction to Nature of the Work

While Man and Nature long co-existed in a natural harmony and balance, in recent times, Man has upset that balance by over-exploiting natural resources and destroying the environment for economic and survival motivations.

For survival, Man needs food, housing and clothing, but uncontrolled population growth combined with an incessant, uninterrupted pursuit of basic necessities has resulted in an unsustainable depletion of natural resources and destruction of the environment. This problem is demonstrated by the massive and global scope of deforestation taking place around the globe.

Four artists from different backgrounds tackle this global disaster in the making with different observations on the role of forests and trees in our environment and how to reestablish both a balance with Nature and protect our future.

As both curator and participating artist, I looked for artists who could contribute both their own individual works and collaborate on joint works that underscore the need for human beings to work together to solve this problem. The artists -- SrijaiKuntawang, Misho, James Su, and PichaiPongsasaovapark -- have each worked in different media -- drawing, painting, photography, etching and digital art -- to create a collective statement and call to action for environmental awareness and protection.

The exhibition Nature of The Work will be seen in Bangkok and Chiang Rai, Thailand, and Shanghai, China.

PichaiPongsasaovapark Artist and Curator February 18, 2016

人类与自然的融合

人类必须与大自然融合在一起才能得以生

存。 这种自然的和谐与平衡在最近的时代

已经被人类打乱了。人类过度的开发自然资

源，破坏了经济和生存的环境。

为了生存，人们需要食物，住房，和衣服。

失控的人口增长以及持续不断的追求生活必

需品，导致自然资源不可持续的消耗和对环

境的破坏。这个问题表现为在全球范围内的

大规模的毁灭森林。

来自不同背景的四位艺术家针对这个全球性

的灾难，从不同角度观察和阐述了如何重新

建立一个既与自然平衡，又能保护我们的未

来环境这一全球性的课题。

作为策展人和参展艺术家，我找寻了那些既

有自己个人的作品又可以和其他艺术家合作

创作强调需要人类集体努力来解决这个问题

的艺术家。四位艺术家 - S r i j a i

Kuntawang，Misho，灵峰（James Su) ，和

Pichai Pongsasaovapark - 他们每一位在

不同的艺术媒体 - 素描，绘画，摄影，和

木刻上表达了一个集体共同声明，呼吁为环

境保护提高意识和加强行动。

这些艺术品将会分别在泰国曼谷和清莱，和

中国上海展出。

Pichai Pongsasaovapark

艺术家和策展人

2016年2月18号

Nature of the Work Exhibition

Artists:

Srijai Kuntawang Misho James Su Pichai Pongsasaovapark

Thanks and Acknowledgments

Thank you to the following for their contributions to this exhibition:

Srijai Kuntawang Misho James Su Pichai Pongsasaovapark

Special thanks to Subhashok The Arts Centre, Bangkok; the Art Bridge Chiang Rai (ABCR), Chiang Rai, Thailand; and the Shanghai Xiang Jiang Gallery, Shanghai, China.

I would also like to take this opportunity to convey my gratitude and honour to my mentor, Daisaku Ikeda, Pesident of Soka Gakkai International who observations on art, culture, and nature.

Srijai Kuntawang In my work, I try to capture the lifestyle and nature that surrounds me in my city, Chiang Mai, especially chickens and the “Lanna Tree”. The Lanna Trees are beautiful and change color every season, which is Nature giving us something beautiful. So why do we destroy it?

Srijai Kuntawang January in Lanna, 2015 Woodcut, Print Making Srijai Kuntawang August in Lanna, 2015 Woodcut, Print Making

Srijai Kuntawang October in Lanna, 2015 Woodcut, Print Making Srijai Kuntawang December in Lanna, 2015 Woodcut, Print Making

“Randomness is the thread that connects all my works. It is the energy guiding my hand, my eyes.”

My photographs are reminiscent of abstract paintings. During my travel and long walks, I’ve observed that nature and urban decay randomly create art. With my camera I extract painting like pieces and bring them to viewers attention. I am fascinated by how paint can look when it randomly splatters on a sidewalk or the way a piece of metal rusts when exposed to the elements.

My paintings have a strong Asian influence. I love the subtlety and serenity of the old ink wash. The painters capture the energy of nature as well as the essence of the moment. They are in harmony. In one of my approach, I’ve reinterpreted the classical order of landscape vs poetry. The landscape is smaller in proportion and is striped down to one primary color. The poetry is painted by random brush strokes funneled by the energy and the emotions of the moment.

For this exhibition, I chose to portray nature’s fight against the overexploitation of earth resources by man.

Misho

(left) Misho Desert Landscape #3 (2016), Photo Montage, Printed on archival matt paper (right) Misho Beijing Storm with Tree, Photo Montage, Printed on archival matt paper

(below) Misho Desert Landscape #4 (2016), Photo Montage, Printed on archival matt paper

Misho Sunset (2016), Painting, Acrylic on paper

(upper) Misho Desert Landscape #1 (2016) Photo Montage, Printed on archival matt paper (below) Misho Desert Landscape #2 (2016), Photo Montage, Printed on archival matt paper

Misho Winter (2016), Photo Montage, Printed on archival matt paper

James Su The ancient Chinese believed in the “Harmony of Man and Nature” that all

living things are connected in nature. Humans are but a link in this chain;

we must live together and as part of nature in order to survive. In the paintings,

I draw trace of lines to represent human activities and links with nature.

The trees in my heart are always lush, dense and thick. They are always in

the spring and summer. accompanied me through my life.

James Su Harmony of Man and Nature #3 (2016) Acrylic and Tempera on Yupo

James Su Harmony of Man and Nature #1 (2016), Acrylic on Paper

James Su Harmony of Man and Nature #2 (2016), Acrylic on Paper

James Su My heart Tree #1 (2016) Tempera on Yupo

James Su My heart Tree #2 (2016) Tempera on Yupo

James Su My heart Tree #3 (2016) Tempera on Yupo

James Su My heart Tree #4 (2016) Tempera on Yupo James Su My heart Tree #5 (2016) Tempera on Yupo James Su Trees and Flowers #1 (2016) Digital Arts James Su Trees and Flowers #2 (2016) Digital Arts

James Su Digital Tree #1 (2016)

Digital Arts

James Su Digital Tree #2 (2016)

Digital Arts

Pichai Pongsasaovapark My work attempts to tackle this global disaster in making observations on the role of forests and trees in our environment and how to reestablish both a balance with Nature and protect our future.

Drawing on my painting and photography to contribute to a collective statement and call to action for environmental awareness and protection.

My paintings “Poison Flower” from my series “The Air We Breathe” were created entirely by capturing the exhaust emissions of carbon and other pollutants from vehicle emissions thereby forcing the viewer to realize that what looks beautiful is actually dangerous to our health.

To illustrate the nature of the relationship between man and nature, I created photographs in “Man and Tree” series of myself merged with tree shadows, to emphasize that we depend on forests and trees to act as both the oxygen machine of the world cleaning the atmosphere of carbon in the air, and as massive and protected environments to support the biodiversity of wildlife, and that mankind must support and be part of this global mechanism to be able to have a world in which we can live and thrive.

Pichai Pongsasaovapark Man and Tree series (2015) Digital Photography, Giclee print on archival pap Pichai Pongsasaovapark Poison Flower (2016) cabon and acrylic on canvas

Pichai Pongsasaovapark Man and Tree series (2015) Digital Photography, Giclee print on archival paper Pichai Pongsasaovapark Man and Tree series (2015) Digital Photography, Giclee print on archival paper

Srijai Kuntawang Born Lumpoon, Thailand 1961 E-mail srijaipun@gmail.com Education 1986 - Diploma, Rajamangala Institute of Technology

Northern Campus, Chiang Mai, Fine Art Division 1993 - B.e.d. (Graphic Arts) Rajamangala Institute of

Technology, Pathumthani 2009 - Master of Fine Art (Painting) Faculty of Fine Arts,

Chiang Mai University Present Position - Rajamangala Institute of Technology Northern

Campus, Chiang Mai Department of Fine Art, Graphic Arts Division 50300

Solo Exhibitions 1998 - “April in Lanna” Chiang Mai Pavilion Chiang Mai 2000 - “Lanna in Nagoya”Murazumi Gallery Japan - “Remember in Lanna”Saundoi House Hotel Chiang Mai 2002 - “Warmth in Lanna” 9 Art Gallery/Architect Studio,

Chiangrai - “Warmth in Lanna” The Faculty of Fine Art Gallery

Chiang Mai University 2006 - “Rhythmic Lines and Colors” at GalleriePanisa,

Chiang Mai 2010 - Painting& Printmaking at Tita Gallery, Chiang Mai 2011 - The 2nd Painting & Printmaking at Tita Gallery,

Chiang Mai 2013 – Imaginative images of line,color and life at the

National Gallery Bangkok. Selected Exhibition 1992 - The 4th Toshiba “Brings Good Things to Life” Art

Competition 1993 - The 5th Toshiba “Brings Good Things to Lift” Art

Competition 1993, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khonkaen - Contemporary Art Exhibition Thai Farmer Bank 1993,

Bangkok - The 7th International Print Biennale Verna’ 93 Bulgaria - The 1st Exhibition by “Pankled Group” Chiang Mai 1994 - The 40th National Exhibition Thai Farmer Bank 1994

Bangkok 1995 - The 2nd Traveling Art Exhibition by “Pankled Group”

Bangkok, Chiang Mai

- The 1st Panasonic Contemporary Painting Exhibition 1995 Bangkok, Chiang Mai

1996 - The 3rd Kochi International Triennial Exhibition of Prints Japan 1996

- The Seacon Square Art Exhibition Bangkok - The 42nd National Exhibition of Art Bangkok - Contemporary Art Exhibition Thai Farmer Bank Bangkok 1997 - The 43rd National Exhibition of Art Bangkok - Contemporary Art Exhibition Thai Farmer Bank, Bangkok - Mini Art Contemporary by Northern Artists, Chiang Mai - The 3rd Pankled Group Art Exhibition Bangkok - The 3rd Northern Arts Alumni Circle Art Exhibition,

Chiang Mai 1998 - The 44th National Exhibition of Art Bangkok - Contemporary Art Exhibition Thai Farmer Bank, Bangkok - Nagoya International Art Print Exhibition Japan 1999 - The 45th National Exhibition, Bangkok 2002 - New Tradition Arts Thai-Japan Exhibition, Bangkok 2004 - Art Exhibition 4th “Jed Yod Group” at Gong Dee

Studio Chiang Mai. - The International Print and Drawing Exhibition on the

Occasion of 60th Anniversary Celebration of Silpakon University.

2005- The 4th Art Exhibition by PaenKled Group at 9 Art Gallery Chiang Rai.

2006 - Lanna Contemporary Art at PCC Art Gallery Bangkok. 2007 - International Print Exhibition Tokyo 2007 - Printmaking Exchange Exhibition by Chiang Mai

University and Tama Art University at Ginza Town Gallery, Tokyo, Japan

- Printmaking Exchange Exhibition by Chiang Mai University and Tama Art University at Faculty of Fine Arts Chiang Mai University Exhibition Hall Chiang Mai Thailand.

- Art Exhibition “JadYod Group” at Tita Gallery Chiang Mai. 2008 - Different but The same by Master of Fine Art Chiang

Mai University at Chiang Mai University Art Center. - The North Faith 9 Thai Artists at Number 1 Gallery

Bangkok 2009 - Art Thesis Exhibition Painting Chiang Mai University - Chiang Mai :Direrse Vision at The Art Center, 7th

floore, Center of Academic Resourees Chulalongkorn University

Misho Email: mishogallery@yahoo.com Website: MishoGallery.com Born in Switzerland, trained in electronics, Misho moved to San Francisco in the 80s to play drums, record and tour the US. Often while creating art, he hears music in his head. Currently, he is the artist, curator and owner of Misho Gallery. He resides in the San Francisco Bay Area and travels often for inspirations with his wife. Solo Exhibition 2010 - “Six Villes, en Surface et en Profondeur”, FNAC

Lausanne 2011 - “Art is in the Street”, Swiss Consulate, San Francisco 2012 - “Nature Imitates Arts : The Tree Series”, Sundance

Kabuki Gallery, San Francisco 2012 - “Found Abstractions”, 201 California, San Francisco 2015 - ”Another View of the World”, Cafe Venue, San

Francisco Group Show 2013 - “Space Together, Again” Collaboration with Johnny Botts - Misho Gallery 2013 - “Pilate Shore, Conceptual Photography Exchange

Exhibition” Xiaozhou Art Center, Guangzhou, China 2013 - “View Paintings and Mixed Media at WenYing Art

Highland, Guangzhou, China 2014 - “Balloon Story” - Photography Group Show with 10

Artists - Misho Gallery 2015 - “2 in 1” Duo Artist Exhibit - Collaboration and

Individual Show Baan Tuek Art Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand

James Su www.art-su.com ctart3@gmail.com Born in Shanghai, China, James Su’s passion to art and drawing started since his childhood. He entered the Shanghai Art Institute to study Chinese painting and illustrations, laying a solid base for representative paintings. After his studies, he started his art career as freelance illustrator for publishing and magazines. His illustrations were published in many magazines and books In 1985, he came to US and obtained a Ph. D. Currently he resides in the San Francisco Bay Area and donates his full energy as a full-time artist. James published several art books and his art works were shown in many galleries and museums. In 2010, he had 26 paintings presented in Stanford University at the Art Space Exhibition. In 2011, Su had a solo exhibition in University of Wisconsin which led to being several works being acquired and collected by the university. Su had two solo exhibition in Silicon Valley Art Center. He had many shows in China and is Art Professor of two universities. Education 1975 BS. Shanghai Art Institute, China 1980 MS. Tongji University, Shanghai, China 1985 Ph.D, Washington State University, US Exhibition 2015 - Misho Gallary , San Francisco, CA 2014 - SanFrancisco International Exhibition, San Francisco, CA 2013 - Silicon Valley Art Center, CA 2012 - DongHua Universitty, Shanghai China 2012 - International Art Show, Shanghai China 2012 - DongHua Universitty, Shanghai China 2012 - Silicon Valley Art Center, CA 2011 - University of Wisconsin WI 2011 - Paul Philips Art Gallery, Chicago IL 2011 - Solo Exhibition Silicon Valley Art Center, CA 2010 - Art Space, Stanford University CA 2009 - Deanzon College Art Museum, CA 2008 - Las Altos Art Gallery, CA 2007 - Silicon Valley Art Center, CA 2006 - Nanhan Art Museum, San Francisco CA

Pichai Pongsasaovapark www.artslant.com/global/artists/show/397333-pichai-pongsasaovaparkEmail pong.pichai@yahoo.com Pichai Pongsasaovapark is a Bangkok artist who uses acrylics, mixed media, and photography to create textured and visually complex abstract work. During his career he has been represented by So Art Gallery in Amsterdam; Gallery One in New Delhi; Meeting Room Gallery in Chiang Mai, Thailand; and Misho Gallery in San Francisco, California. His work is in the Luciano Benetton Foundation Imago Mundi Collection in Milan, Italy; and he is among artists included in the Luciano Benetton Foundation’s Thailand: Spiritual & Material - Contemporary Artists from Thailand (2015). Solo Exhibitions 2016 - So Far, Hat Yai Art Center, Hat Yai, Thailand 2014 - Remains to Be Seen, Misho Gallery, San Francisco,

California, USA - Lines, Meeting Room Gallery, Chiang Mai, Thailand 3

Years & Counting, V64 Art Studio Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand

2013 - Unseen Dimensions II, V64 Art Studio, Bangkok, Thailand (dis)integration, V64 Art Studio, Bangkok, Thailand Fast Start, Slow Burn, V64 Art Studio, Bangkok, Thailand Altered Terrains, Baan Tuek Art Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand

2012 - Night Beckons, Wasan Art Gallery, Pattaya City, Thailand Unseen Dimensions, Kim Ba Gallery, Marseille, France Art in Nature in Art, Royal Residence Park, Bangkok, Thailand

Group Exhibitions 2016 - Nature of the Work, Subhashok The Arts Centre

(S.A.C), Bangkok, Thailand; and Art Bridge Art Center, Chiang Rai, Thailand; and Xiang Jiang Gallery, Shanghai, China

2015 - Map of the New Art, Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice, Italy Making Senses: Living in an Abstract World, Misho Gallery, San Francisco, California, USA Identity/Memory Exhibition, Frameless Gallery and The Gallery on the Corner, London, UK Art Thesis Exhibition, Chiang Mai Cultural Art Centre, Chiang Mai, Thailand The Tiny Art Show, Pitt County Arts Council, Emerge Gallery and Art Center, Greenville, North Carolina, USA Turquoise,

Mori-Art Moo Gallery, Austria 2 in 1 Exhibition, Misho Gallery, San Francisco, California, USA; and Baan Teuk Art Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand

2014-15 - Snap to Grid Exhibit, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, Los Angeles,California, USA

2014 - No Borders: Thai and American Artist Exhibition, Baan Tuek Art Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand Chinese American Artists Association Annual Exhibition, Silicon Valley Asian Art Center, Santa Clara, California, USA Five by Five Exhibition, Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa, Florida, USA Peace Starts Here 2014 Traveling Exhibition, Peace Project, Culver City,California; New York City; and Los Angeles, California, USA Decade: Creative View on Contemporary Art by Freelance Artists, QueenSirikit Art Center, Bangkok, Thailand Japanese-Thai Artists Show, Chiang Mai Art Centre, Chiang Mai, Thailand Oasis of Freedom: 3rd Anniversary of V64 Art Studio, V64 Art Studio Gallery Bangkok, Thailand

Commissions 2014 - Flower Bush, City of South San Francisco Outdoor

Mural Project, South San Francisco, California, USA Curator Projects

2016 - Nature of the Work, Subhashok The Arts Centre (S.A.C), Bangkok, Thailand; and Art Bridge Art Center, Chiang Rai, Thailand; and Xiang Jiang Gallery, Shanghai, China

2015 - Making Senses: Living in Abstract World, Misho Gallery, San Francisco, California, USA

2014 - No Borders: Thai and American Artist Exhibition, Baan Tuek Art Center, ChiangMai, Thailand Thailand: Spiritual & Material - Contemporary Artists from Thailand (Luciano Benetton Foundation 2015) – assisted Chief Editor and Curator, NeerajAjmani.

Education 2015 - Certificate in Museum and Gallery Studies, California

State University, East Bay, Hayward, California 2015 - M.F.A. (Painting), Chiang Mai University Faculty of Fine

Arts, Chiang Mai, Thailand 1999 - B.S. in Industrial Architecture, Rajabhat Chandrakasem

University, Bangkok, Thailand

- Since the dawn of human civilization, the realm of man has steadily trampled on the natural world, drastically altering the landscape we see and interact with nowadays. Do you see not only a crisis in the destruction of nature, but also in the way we define nature?

Absolutely. We are destroying our environment in a way that is causing lasting and likely irreversible damage. The most pressing example to me is the on-going massive deforestation of the planet, destroying the very engine of clean and healthy air that we breathe. In my series, “Man and Tree” I am trying to show the inseparable connection between man and trees by merging images of both. In my view, we can only achieve progress in regaining a balance and harmony with nature if we see that our fates are linked and that we are a part of nature not separate from it.

Bangkok Art Map (ฺBAM), 02.2016

Collaborate Works from 4 Artists Four artists from different backgrounds tackle this global disaster in the making with different observations on the role of

forests and trees in our environment and how to reestablish both a balance with Nature and protect our future.

Srijai Kunthawang, Misho, James Su, Pichai Pongsasaovapark Nature of the Work series (2015)