Richard Koh Fine Art presents “Every day, Every day I have the Blues” by Natee Utarit, 4 – 12 June 2021

June 2, 2021 / News

Richard Koh Fine Art

No. 34-1, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru,

59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Richard Koh Fine Art

Blk 47, Malan Road, #01-26

Gillman Barracks, Singapore 109444

Richard Koh Projects

2198/10-11, Art Warehouse, Unit A, 3rd Floor N22,

Naradhiwat Rajanagarindra Rd Soi 22,

Chong Nonsi, Yan Nawa, Bangkok 10120

www.rkfineart.com

Every day, Every day I have the Blues: A Pop-up Show by Natee Utarit

Bangkok, 2 June 2021—Richard Koh Fine Art (RKFA) & Richard Koh Projects (RKP) are pleased to announce Natee Utarit’s (b.1970) upcoming pop-up exhibition across its spaces in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok. Titled Every day, Every Day I have the Blues, this tri-venue exhibition will run simultaneously for a week; from 4 – 12 June 2021.

In light of the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation in Kuala Lumpur, the showcase at RKFA Kuala Lumpur will be an online exhibition hosted on the RKFA website. RKFA Singapore and RKFA Projects Bangkok will commence with physical presentations, until further notices. Richard Koh Projects in Bangkok’s physical location is 2198/10-11, Art Warehouse, Unit A, 3rd Floor N22, Naradhiwat Rajanagarindra Rd Soi 22, Chong Nonsi, Yan Nawa, and Richard Koh Fine Art in Singapore is located at Blk 47, Malan Road, #01-26, Gillman Barracks, Singapore 109444.

It has been approximately 6 years since Utarit embarked on this 5-part series, paying homage to the 5 different genres of Western painting. This exhibition marks the 4th of the series. It began with Samlee & Co. The Absolutely Fabulous Show in 2016 (the genre of Portraiture), followed by It Would Be Silly to Be Jealous of a Flower in 2017 (Still-Life), View from the Tower in 2018 (Landscape), and the upcoming Every day, Every Day I have the Blues (Everyday Life).

In this series, Utarit tackles the genre of the everyday life, but as we are acutely aware, the everyday has drastically changed, perhaps, forever. In this body of works, viewers are presented with scenes of the artist’s studio environment during the movement controls and also depiction of people whom have crossed paths with him just before the pandemic started.

There is a strong sense of longing in the manner which Utarit presents his composition and narrative. Mundane as it seems, this body of works fundamentally represents a commemoration of normality, and provides a reminder of the things that we have lost and taken for granted before the pandemic. It is only when something is lost, do we realize its true value. As Utarit explains, “The paintings in this 4th part series are to me, my views as it is aided plainly by my human and inner eye. They come alive via the simple visual process. As normality becomes invaluable, the simplicity in painting becomes in tandemly meaningful. It is a simplicity that reflects serenity and peace in the hopes of regaining a sense of normality.”

Artist Biography

Natee Utarit (b. 1970, Bangkok) studied at the College of Fine Art in 1987 and graduated in Graphic Arts at the Painting and Sculpture Faculty at Silpakorn University, both in Bangkok, Thailand in 1991. Solo exhibitions include Optimism is Ridiculous: the Altarpieces, The Private Museum, Singapore (2018), Optimism is Ridiculous: the Altarpieces, National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia (2017).

Ayala Museum, Manila, the Philippines (2017), Illustration of the Crisis, Bangkok University Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand (2013), After Painting, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore (2010) and The Amusement of Dreams, Hope and Perfection, Art Center of Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (2007). Recent group exhibitions include Beyong Bliss, Bangkok Art Biennale 2018, Bangkok, Thailand (2018), Contemporary Chaos, Vestfossen Kunstlaboratorium, Norway (2018), Thai Eye, BACC, Bangkok, Thailand and Saatchi Gallery, London, UK (2016/2015), Art of ASEAN, Bank Negara Museum and Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2015), Time of Others, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (2015) and Asian Art Biennale 2013: Everyday Life, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taipei, Taiwan (2013).

His work is part of many renowned collections, such the Bangkok University, Bangkok, Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore, as well as private collections in Europe and Asia.

Utarit’s multifaceted practice focuses on the exploration of the medium of painting connecting it with photography and classical Western art. Light and perspective are some of the elements the artist chose to work with, focusing on painting as a means to explore image making. His complex pictures, juggle wide-ranging metaphors usually in the format of the traditional still life, allude to Thailand’s current social and political landscapes.

About RKFA

Founded in 2005, with spaces in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok, Richard Koh Fine Art is committed to the promotion of Southeast Asian contemporary art on regional and international platforms. Centred around a core belief in developing an artist’s career, the gallery looks to identify understated, albeit promising practices, and providing it opportunities to flourish. Through its regular exhibition cycles, print & digital publications and cross-border gallery collaborations, Richard Koh Fine Art engages the art community with the aim of developing regional and intercultural dialogue.

For further information about the exhibition, please do not hesitate to contact Wei Fung at +6016 491 2644 or the gallery at info@rkfineart.com / +603 2095 3300.

All images are subjected to copyright.

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TQPR Thailand

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