TIKKYWOW (39)
Tikkywow works as a creative for an ad agency full-time, but moonlights as an illustrator and street artist off hours. Some of the companies that have used his brand of explosive colours and dark irony range from Nike and G-Shock to Camel and Thai Airways, while his illustrations have appeared in both local and international publications.
How would you describe your style?
Usually the main focus is on colours. I like to use bright ones which evoke a feel of pop art. I like to make my work fun and there’s always sarcasm in it.
What has been your favourite project?
I think it was designing the watch with G-Shock. They gave me full reign with the whole collection, from designing packaging to trinkets that come with the watch. But other works I like too are ones relating to Thainess and how to make it modern by using colour combinations that are contemporary. I wasn’t sure if people would be OK with the Thai patterns that have been adapted to my style, but I did it and some people liked it. Some of it was featured in Thai Airways’ video and that was nice.
Who is your favourite artist?
Jean-Michel Basquiat. His works look like a kindergarten kid drew them. My professor said jokingly that his work is like a kid’s, but it isn’t limited to what you can’t see, because kids don’t have limitations and they just draw whatever they want. The fact that so many people accept his work so much must mean there is something about it. I feel that his work is so free, as if a child drew it. He was close friends with Andy Warhol, but he passed away because he was famous and wasn’t able to adapt to it. There was also drugs involved, I guess. But today, his work remains popular, even though he’s gone.
What is a gallery/museum you really love?
Mori Art Museum in Japan. I like it because they display normal people’s work too. Usually I’ve always thought that galleries only display the works of big shots but this place is open to new artists and contemporaries are showcased too. It’s inclusive. In Thailand, it’s starting to improve too and there’s starting to be open places.
How do you balance creating art and commercial art?
When doing my own thing, it’s work for me to take my emotions out on. When I encounter stressful commissions all day, it’s releasing to be able to do whatever I want with my own work. I don’t really think of it as pure art or commercial though, because you see these things every day. I try to let these things be part of daily life, as they should be.