Age of Enlightenment

Childhood memories of the role of women in a traditional family upbringing inspire this captivating series of paintings, rich in texture and Thai symbolism, that examine human interdependence.

Merging reality and fantasy, his work conjures up surreal imagery that’s uniquely Thai, leavened with an undercurrent of questioning about whether or not human dependency centres on each other, or on a higher authority.

Although some of these works can be considered Pop Art in their expressionism, there are emotional strands of profound longing lurking beneath their apparently simple depictions, that are given voice with deft use of layered shades and colours. 

Age highlights the dilemma of humans using their earthly bodies as physical vessels for symbols they believe may provide spiritual protection, whether in the form of religious tattoos on the skin, or belief systems in the mind.

Using the female role in the family as a platform, his paintings expand on a proposition that whatever we do with our bodies, there is perhaps no point in using them as vehicles for our own personal beliefs. In the end, we may discover these symbols are unimportant to the complete process of life, in which we all depend on each other.

Instead of adapting and changing in accordance with our beliefs, Age reasons that perhaps we are all just becoming equal and interdependent.

Imagery from his traditional family childhood in the northern province of Phrae, filled with striking female characters, loom large in common threads throughout his work.

The robust yet delicately intriguing characters in his paintings are sometimes counterbalanced by Asian icons, such as the tiger, to depict powerful personalities resonating with a heritage of ancient wisdom.

Age has recently taken to a new medium of expression, using his own style of tapestry (this page) to deepen his portrayals of female personality and bring new vigour and fresh insights into these compelling faces.

Although at first sight appearing a more delicate medium that dispels some of the depth of his painted work, these tapestries have a haunting and persuasive quality that dovetails perfectly with the absorbing nature of his subjects.

Age constructs all his work using meticulous choices of colour, shade and texture to build three-dimensional pools of profound personality, that demand and reward deep introspection.

He studied at the Pochang Faculty of Art in Bangkok and is now actively involved in the city’s prolific V64 Art Studio collective.

For more: facebook.com/V64art/