CERAMIC VIEWS

THE CERAMIC VIEW BANGKOK: EXHIBITION FOR MODERN CERAMICS BY IAC MEMBERS, KULSTROM/PARK AND THE FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE AT CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE THE CONVENTIONAL UNDERSTANDING AND PRECONCEPTION WE HAVE FOR THE ART OF SHAPING CLAY INTO FORM

There is a tradition in the past where a ceramic artist offers people a chance to visit their studio where they can observe how the artist works and take a closer look at the artistic creations before a public exhibition is held. The idea was later used as the main concept of Ceramic Symposium (which took place from the 17th to the 30^th of June 2016 at the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University) where 14 ceramic artists, Thai and international, were invited to work in the same space before showcasing their finished art pieces created during the residency in the exhibition, ‘Ceramic View’ held at The National Gallery from the 2nd through the 31st of July this year.

Image © The Ceramic View Bangkok

“In Thailand, ceramics are perceived as a craft or jewelry, not so much as a work of fine art,” are the words of Pim Suthikham, one of the 14 artists, which perfectly explains and encapsulates the essence of the exhibition. ‘Ceramic View’ is another attempt to change the conventional understanding and preconception we have for ceramics. Works such as Jenny Beaven’s ‘Fluid State’ whose physical presence renders effects of abstract shadows on the wall when touched by the light reminds us of shadow art rather than a ceramic creation. Pim Suthikham’s ‘(Not) All Pots Are Created Equal’ connotes social issues through a number of identical white bowls placed on a table in the exhibition room. Although not exactly certain what the ‘inequality’ in the ‘equal’ shapes and forms the artist is trying to convey really represents, one thing is for sure and that is that this work has turned ceramics into something much more than simply a ‘bowl.’