top of page
geopoetics 
21 june - 22 september 2024

a group exhibition by
aracha cholitkul
kwanchai lichaikul
pachara piyasongsoot
tawatchai puntusawasdi
surajate tongchua
and
uab sanasen

before humans began to grasp the vastness of the solar system, the natural world on earth served as one of the earliest environments that human knowledge could access, at least within the range of what could be observed and monitored. geographical understanding has had a profound impact on the study of culture and history. numerous artists have endeavored to forge new forms of comprehension, employing landscapes as a bridge connecting subjectivity and objectivity through the shifting patterns of seasons, terrain, light and shadow, or weather conditions. for even when depicting landscapes in a straightforward manner, the resulting artwork does not necessarily reflect what the eye perceives, as the very act of painting constitutes a form of interpretation. in light of evolving contemporary perspectives, humans are embarking on a renewed quest to understand nature by re-evaluating the significance of the human condition. this endeavor involves a delicate connection with nature through language, a realm we often refer to as "poetics." this term encompasses both broad and narrow definitions. while artwork serves as a direct extension of language, it does not simplify the definition of poetics. on the contrary, we recognize that "beauty" is a political construct arising from linguistic complexity. this exhibition serves as an initial exploration, inviting us to observe and appreciate subtle nuances within contemporary artistic movements. we encounter artists employing various landscape elements to convey ideas, social narratives, or intriguing experiential states. from the sculptural works of tawatchai puntusawasdi, with their intricate forms emerging from calculated considerations of perspective and viewing angles. the artist's working sketches also reveal tawatchai’s profound reliance on environmental factors in his creations. surajate tongchua, another artist, delves into the critical examination of societal structures and the quality of human existence. his works often incorporate everyday objects as raw materials, with the artist's imagined mountain ranges included in his current creative portfolio. this unique identity invites viewers to clearly comprehend the artist’s vision, along with making it easier to understand the complex systemic issues in society. kwanchai lichaikul, meanwhile, is an artist whose focus lies in birds-eye view paintings, a perspective that echoes the style of traditional wall murals. his unique approach blends mythological cosmology with the realities of our world, offering a captivating vantage point from which to contemplate the interconnectedness of diverse perspectives. in the language of pachara piyasongsoot’s paintings, the physicality of landscapes is a constant companion, interwoven with historical perspectives, contemporary politics, and personal memories. pachara demonstrates the fundamental role of landscapes in painting when aiming to communicate experiences rooted in history and memory. this notion finds a compelling parallel in the works of aracha cholitgul. as an artist who has faced visual impairment since childhood, her landscapes acquire a unique character, creating a deeply personal connection to the landscapes she depicts as she employs other senses to compensate for the loss of sight. finally, the paintings of uab sanasen, a revered thai master, challenge the very context of the art world, both past and present. his works showcase not only exceptional technical skills and innovation but also landscapes imbued with a wealth of knowledge. the significance lies not merely in the physical locations depicted but in the narratives and ideas that subtly permeate the atmosphere of his paintings. within the realm of contemporary art, the physicality of landscapes is transformed into a boundless reservoir of metaphorical expression. the very essence of what constitutes a landscape becomes a fluid concept in the artistic context. the geopoetics exhibition explores the interplay between the narratives of human experiences and the vacant spaces within artworks. the universe and the human body are reimagined through landscapes imbued with profound significance. the artists featured in this exhibition serve as guides in our quest to redefine landscape art. drawing inspiration from ancient cultures and wisdom, they employ the rational framework of landscapes to elucidate phenomena, beliefs, knowledge, politics, and even science. this exhibition invites us to contemplate how art perceives these elements through the language of landscapes. at the very least, this exhibition serves as a platform for initiating a dialogue with viewers, exploring the extent to which the environment influences artistic creation, even at the level of the creative process. while artistic communication may not always appear straightforward, it can be viewed as a common trope in contemporary art. this is because art is a form of rhetoric that allows artists to incorporate various disciplines and modes of thought, expanding the frontiers of landscapes and venturing into uncharted territories. ultimately, the realm of art possesses the inherent nature of an open-ended "space," extending far beyond the reach of a single form of knowledge. landscapes, therefore, emerge as a dynamic artistic theme, continuously evolving and leading to profound observations as artistic concepts shape the very fabric of our existence. the subtle nuances incorporated into artistic landscapes have the power to transform us down to our very foundations.

46 atsadathorn road

pa ton  muang

chiang mai 

50300

thailand

bottom of page