The newest exhibition at the Four Seasons Art Space by Moca Bangkok is the “Unveiling Leather: The Artistic Journey Of Craftsmanship”, on display until Nov 5.
Featuring works from 12 artists, namely Kitikong Tilokwattanotai, Lugpliw Junpudsa, Prach Niyomkar, Rukkit (Kuanhawate Satapornvajana), Samita Rungkwansiriroj, Somyot Hananuntasuk, Temjai Cholsiri, Thaiwijit Puengkasemsomboon, Trey Hurst, Udom
Udomsrianan, Wasinburee Supanichvoraparch and Mamafaka (Pharuephon Mukdasanit), it showcases remarkable art pieces and sculptures made from leather, presenting a fresh perspective on the imaginative use of this material.
The exhibition curates a collection of artworks and objects, each piece embodying intricate artistry that reveals the limitless possibilities of this timeless material. Each artist has embraced the uniqueness and charm of leather to create works in their own distinctive styles. Whether it is through selecting suitable leather types and techniques for their artistic process or by deliberately choosing leather that presents challenges, each artist expresses their individual concepts and identities.
These works seamlessly integrate traditional and contemporary innovations, as well as the techniques and expertise of artisans. The resulting creations demonstrate the opportunities to transcend the boundaries of craftsmanship in diverse media, be it sculpture, weaving, or painting.
Kitikong’s use of leather adds complexity and texture to his works. The artist liberates the essence of emotions through abstract art, ink, and gestures, capturing their essence in a semi-abstract form, freezing a moment in time.
Lugpliw presents works in this exhibition with the intention of sharing love. The artist brings back her previous works, adopting a new creative medium to alter viewers’ emotions towards her art through pieces that can be admired, visually and tactilely.
Prach specialises in textile art that is environmentally friendly. Known for using materials he grows himself and materials sourced from Sakon Nakhon province, the artist uses natural dye from indigo and plant-based colours in his works. For this exhibition, the artist uses his knowledge and experience to create dyed-leather artworks. Rukkit’s distinctive touch lies in his incorporation of line patterns and geometric shapes into his works. Here, he showcases his signature designs using leather, combining silk-screen and collage techniques to create artwork on animal hides. His inspiration for the animal forms, namely the cow and tiger, comes from Thai proverbs, serving as a tribute to both these animals.
Samita initiates her creative process with the challenge of combining weaving techniques with leather material. She intertwines the natural lines of leather with the arrangement of lines from weaving, presenting a new dimension through combinations of the stiffness and strength of leather with more delicate textiles.
Somyot Hananuntasuk continues his forte in the form of abstract art. In this instance, he challenges himself with a material he has not used extensively before, and his creative process involves a mix of airbrush and collage techniques on leather, presenting patterns of his own design on leather.
Temjai’s collection explores the split-second interval where a thought disrupts the tranquility of the mind, represented by a pebble hitting the surface of water. The resulting ripples evoke the image of water waves that are clear and obvious yet ultimately fleeting and ephemeral in nature.
Thaiwijit is known for versatile deployment of mixed media, often transforming discarded items into art pieces that emphasise imagination and enjoyment. For this series, he integrates an unfamiliar material of leather into his artwork, merging them harmoniously with other media.
Hurst has a distinctive approach involving the use of ink to create repetitive patterns through brush strokes. In this series, the artist presents these patterns by rearranging them to form new designs through debossed and painted leather wall panels that evoke the geometric shadows of a Brise Soleil façade.
Udom is a well-recognised name in product design, where he constantly draws inspiration from shapes of nature. In this case, he applies natural material like animal hide to create artworks that reflect his original design philosophy.
Wasinburee experiments with the combination of two contrasting materials, ceramic and leather, symbolising ever-changing human nature and principles. In this exhibition, he utilises the concept of “earth” representing reality today, and “leather” as a symbol of something that can be transformed and moulded into something new. The patterns he employs in his artworks are inspired by ancient Chinese culture.
Another remarkable aspect is the collaboration with the estate of the well-known street artist and graphic designer Mamafaka, the creator of the iconic character Mr. Hell Yeah! His estate has granted permission to use of his previously crafted works to be experimented with and reimagined using leather as a medium. These creations take the form of wall art and sculptures, ultimately aiming to leave a lasting impression and elevate the visitor experience at this Archives Design exhibition.
Additionally, Copenn., a renowned Thai fragrance brand, has collaborated to design products and scents that contribute to creating positive memories and emotions for visitors. A whiff of which immediately hits you and you scroll through the space.
Visit bit.ly/unveilingleather.