SAJJA
Sculpture exhibition by Worasit Kileksi
Curated by Myrtille Tibayrenc (Toot Yung art studio)
30 Nov – 22 Dec 2024
Alliance Française, Chiang Mai
Opening reception: Saturday Nov 30th from 6pm
In the framework of Galleries Night
The Alliance Française de Chiang Mai and the Toot Yung Art Studio are pleased to present “SAJJA” which gathers the recent works of young Thai artist Worasit Kileksi.
Worasit Kileksi
b.1988 Roi Et, Thailand (Currently living in Chiang Mai)
Bunditpatanasilp Institute of fine arts – Bachelor 2019 Ceramic.
For his first solo exhibition Worasit presents a group of sculptures evoking primitive Buddhist and animistic folk art from Northern Thailand.
In Sajja (Truth in Thai) Worasit assembles noble recycled materials (ancient woods) and very common artifacts like plastic wigs, cheap jewelry Etc. This uncanny contrast gives his mythical creatures a humorous twist. He creates his idols with the playfulness of a child, proposing a raw and simple ensemble of works, yet the minimalism of the figures is as elegant as spontaneous.
The inclusion of ready mades such as Palat Kik, directly gleaned from local folk art and found in flea markets, links his work with ancestral beliefs. By confronting these artifacts with everyday low-cost items, he synthesizes tradition and modernity with a slight subversive humor.
This apposition of tradition and modernity is something commonly found in Thai popular culture. This unique openness towards change and innovation found in everyday Thailand reflects the grounded strength of its people.
To my eyes, Worasit’s works embody this transition period in which we seem to be cut off our deeper roots and thrown into an uncertain world in which our myths and idols are losing their purpose and power. To Worasit they are constantly morphing into something new, linking the past, the present and the future, the material and the spiritual.
For media queries and interviews, please contact:
TQPR Thailand
Khun Tom Van Blarcom, tom@tqpr.com or Khun Nuie Titichayapon, nuie@tqpr.com ; +662 2605820