Peera Suk-a-sa has designed various artwork for installations and album covers in his signature retro pop art style. We talked to him about his latest collab with Escape Hotels.

Why the name ‘Clubpopp’?

It came from the sub-genre of pop music that has beats. It’s pop music that is played in the clubs, but can also be listened to outside the club. This name reflects the work I do because it is not the kind of pop you find everywhere. My work is filled with light and colour. I want people to see my work and feel good about it.

Why did you choose the retro pop art style?

These days, people are fond of nostalgia and have taken an interest in vintage stuff such as graphic designs from the 50s or workwear vintage. Nothing is new at present. You can trace any vintage creation back to its point of inspiration. I grew up with retro content from the 80s and 90s from magazines, graphics, album covers and even pictures or graphic designs within gift shops. When I see such things, I miss them. I began to research about it and realised nobody was doing anything like this. It inspired me to design such art and when people saw my work, they saw it as something different and new. Because of this, I began to take my art seriously.

Where did you find the ideas or inspiration behind your work?

With Escape, for example, the idea came from my material and content I have collected such as vintage clothing. I select the content and materials, which would fit or match the theme of the event. The content includes my ideas for stories behind each event, the shade of colours, fonts or pictures and illustrations of people and creatures from my collection used as references. I think every artist must have these out of passion for their work. Whenever they think or create anything, they should keep their materials for later use, which they can use to run as part of any project. It lies within the sense of the artist.

You’re also a musician. Which came first, the art or the music?

I studied art design in Burapha University. Before I graduated, I sent my demo tape to Smallroom music label, when they were still releasing one album a year. Their music had a sense of fun and innovation so I wanted to be a part of that. I also applied for an internship as a graphic designer where I helped design album covers. When I graduated, I was put in the advertising section where I worked on making commercials and once my demo tape was approved, I became an artist.

You have done visuals for a variety of projects whether it be products, parties or album covers. Is there a piece of work that is special to you?

My visual work for Breakbot’s concerts, who is an indie electronic artist, is my favourite. I designed the visuals for his concerts in Thai- land. When he deejayed a set at Flow House, I designed neon billboards that were similar to the ones in Patpong or Nana, which seemed low key but artsy. People who have seen it thought it was great.

For his concert at CentralWorld, I made a pattern that was cut into his picture and looked like a design you would see in gift shops or cartoons. People of this generation have no idea what gift shop designs are, so when they saw the visuals at the concert, they thought it looked pretty.

Is there any project you want to do but have not done yet?

My personal work. I want to launch a solo project. It is like the grand opening of my work rather than collaborated efforts such as this [Escape Hotels]. I still don’t have time for it but I am always planning it. I am waiting for the right moment where I will have enough mate- rial to show. I need to be more serious about making it happen.

Discuss the idea behind the Escape X Clubpopp project.

The Escape Hotels project started with the summer — what are the icons that represent summer; what are things that signify the summer? I began drawing simple things that depict the theme. I want people to come to the hotel and relax without any worries. I designed the art to pop up and be attractive to the eyes. I matched colours with hot and cool tones and added my personal touch.

You collect vinyls and cassettes, and you seem to include such items from the past in your work. What is the charm in gathering these old artefacts?

I feel very touched by such items and I’m fond of comparing them to things now. I don’t know whether it is because of my age, but they have captivated my heart for a long time. Whenever I see or listen to vinyls or cassettes, I instantly feel nostalgic and have flashbacks. I then search and collect anything that is similar from that era. I have a lot of fun researching about such things. It is like a hobby where I can also educate myself. For example, when I buy a CD, not only do I listen to it, but I also learn various things about it such as the history behind the album. This gives me a sense of appreciation. It is what I would want visitors to feel as well when they see the art installations at Escape. When they see the use of colour, I hope they feel nostalgic, taking them back to the 80s, where the inspiration comes from. Whether they get that or not, the design looks pretty to them, regardless.