ART4D HAS A CONVERSATION WITH TUNLAYA DUNNVATANACHIT, THE 28-YEAR-OLD ILLUSTRATOR WELL-KNOWN FOR THE MONIKER ‘TUNA DUNN’, ABOUT HER UPCOMING EXHIBITION THAT FEATURES THE STUPENDOUS STORYTELLING OF HER OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
TEXT: PRATARN TEERATADA
PHOTO: KETSIREE WONGWAN
(For Thai, press here)
Saratta is a space that brings all the art lovers and design enthusiasts artworks and publications by new, fresh and upcoming artists and designers. The founder, Patamon Nisabodee, is a veteran illustrator with over a decade of experience in practicing the two dimensional artistic medium. The space’s latest invitation is for the solo exhibition by TUNA Dunn, titled tête—à—tête, featuring comics that will challenge the roaring sound of silence with a stupendous storytelling experience.
Tunlaya Dunnvatanachit is the 28-year-old illustrator known for the moniker ‘TUNA Dunn’. Her artistic repertoire encompasses the realms of illustration, ranging from comic to visual design where she explores and delivers works of incredibly idiosyncratic characteristics, distinctive for the simplistic lines that straightforwardly yet profoundly convey the intended messages. Recently, Tunlaya has been experimenting with a storytelling approach by utilizing more abstract forms.
In 2018, she started her master’s degree in Illustration and Visual Media in London. During her time abroad, Tunlaya tapped into the merged boundaries between comics and conceptual art, which seems to be an interesting reflection of her visions and abilities as a storyteller. This exhibition is an intriguing extension from those experiments. art4d took this solo exhibition as an opportunity to have a brief conversation with her.
art4d: Would you mind introducing yourself one more time, for those who may not know who TUNA Dunn is?
Tunlaya Dunnvatanachit: Hi, nice to meet you. My name is Tun. I’m an illustrator and TUNA Dunn is my artist name. I started working in 2013 and have been working ever since. My areas of interests range from illustration, animation, design and comics.
art4d: What is it about being an illustrator that makes you the happiest?
TD: To be able to make a living doing what I like is good enough for me. My work these days allow me to do both commercial and personal projects, so it’s the right balance that keeps everything going nicely.
art4d: What is the most memorable experience you’ve had while being in this profession?
TD: Travelling overseas, perhaps. From participating in Unknown Asia Osaka, a residency in France to doing my masters in England, every experience has enabled me to discover new things that have become incredibly beneficial to my work.
art4d: Could you tell us a bit more about the exhibition?
TD: The exhibition is my first solo exhibition called tête—à—tête, which means private conversation. I chose that name because every work shown in this exhibition comes from who I am and the messages they convey are very personal. They’re the most personal works I have ever created in my career as an artist, and they’re like this experimental clash between comics and conceptual art.
art4d: Any words of advice for the younger generation of illustrators?
TD: Just draw a lot and work hard. Even though your social media platform doesn’t have that many followers or engagements, it doesn’t mean you can’t be an illustrator. Study what others did and are doing, make sure to broaden and diversify your interests.
The exhibition is now showing at Reno Hotel (Soi Kasemsan 1, National Stadium BTS Station, Exit 1).
Duration: May 29th-July 11th 2021, Opening Hours: 10.00-19.00
In compliance with Covid-19 prevention measures, please reserve your viewing date and time at www.saratta.space/RSVP
