NEVER FAILING TO AMAZE
Artist Pongpan Runghiranrak never fails to amaze. When it comes to his passion for sculpting and painting, there is no stopping this talent from exploring the issues that touch mankind.
His latest exhibition, titled “Balance-Beam”, which runs from Nov 9 until Dec 15 at the JOJO KOBE Art Gallery, Chiang Mai, is no different. Aside from the many Buddha-shaped sculptures, prints and paintings featured, this exhibition is not so much about religion as it is about life itself.
Balance-Beam is Pongpan’s first exhibition from his latest Spectrum series and his printed work. Works here are a result of a self-expression and raw intuition inviting an open dialogue, explains exhibition curator Nim Niyomsin.
The exhibition, she said, is about “balance”, both physical and psychological.
She believes that each individual is trying to find the ideal way to live and achieve equilibrium within a universe where change is constant and stability requires determination. “It’s how, in every moment, we’re walking on an imagined balance beam, trying not to fall while keep going forward.”
“Pongpan has drawn inspiration from his own interpretation of the ancient Eastern concept of the Seven Chakra System, representing each of the seven points of humans’ spiritual energy through an aura of colour emanation. Each colour beam reveals layers of our emotion and reaction in response to circumstances,” said the curator.
Nim describes Pongpan’s Spectrum series as representing “beams” of lights and colours. Seeking answers through a prolonged process of self-study and reflection, this series is his way to express and explain his experience on human emotions and perception.
Pongpan, who is also a creative director and lecturer, is one of the founders of GOOD For
The Good Of It, a charity group that aims to benefit society and the public through a variety of art projects. He also started a webpage called Happy Norma, as a place to discuss happiness and the aesthetics of Buddhist art. He is currently a guest lecturer at Bangkok University International.