A CHANG|NG CANVAS
BACC’s ‘Early Years Project’ showcases innovative works by emerging Thai artists
Organised by the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, “Early Years Project #7” is an annual initiative that supports emerging artists and experimentation. This year’s theme, “A Change In The Paradigm”, presents shifts in perspective of contemporary art through artists’ attitudes and beliefs. A total of eight artists were selected to present their work at BACC.
Two female artists — Donruedi Bunkeao and Nordiana Beehing — particularly stand out. Donruedi’s “Swirl Of Green” focuses on malachite which is a mineral and a source of green powder pigment used in traditional Thai paintings. Meanwhile, Nordiana’s “Puen Tee Plod Phai (Safe Space)” offers shelter to patients with kidney disease, their caregivers and healthcare workers.
Donruedi Bunkeao ‘Swirl Of Green’
Donruedi earned her master’s from the Faculty of Painting Sculpture and Graphic Arts, Silpakorn University. Since she majored in Thai art, Donruedi developed a special interest in natural powder paints used in traditional Thai paintings. This fascination inspired her to create “Swirl Of Green”, a project that presents malachite as a way to prevent from fading into history.
“When viewing Thai paintings, people focus on images and patterns. No one is interested in natural paint until someone mentions it. Green colour from malachite is brighter than other natural paints, so painters usually mix it with other colours to tone it down. As a result, even though the colour of green malachite is unique, it has never been presented in its true form,” explained Donruedi.
“I aim to focus only on malachite in this exhibition. I feel related to malachite and want it to shine, instead of hiding or mixing it with other colours. I have wanted to show my work to others, but it did not seem like the right time. I am thrilled that the ‘Early Years Project’ gave me this opportunity to experiment.”
After research, Donruedi learned that malachite was first imported from China during the end of the Ayutthaya era. Thai traditional painters created
khiao tang chae or green malachite pigment by grinding and extracting malachite minerals from China. However, imported malachite was expensive. To save costs, Thai painters used copper sheets with rust and put it through lemon or pineapple to get a green colour similar to malachite.
“Swirl Of Green” displays different shades of green malachite in many frames. An oval frame showcases green patterns inspired by masks from the Congo since most malachite in Thailand is imported from the country. Next to the framed malachite, a glass showcase displays it in raw form and equipment that Donruedi used for the project such as brushes, strainers, mortars, pestles and spoons. Additionally, visitors can see notes and an article about malachite that sparked Donruedi’s initial idea for the project. “Since green malachite is used in traditional Thai paintings, this colour has been displayed in specific places. I wanted to show that it can be a part of contemporary art and be displayed in a venue which is not only for conservation.
“After this exhibition, I hope to continue working on the project. If possible, I want to present malachite in other countries. For example, malachite is related to gods and enlightenment in Egypt while it is associated with commerce in China. It is also used to make accessories in many countries and is associated with enhancing someone’s authority.”
Nordiana Beehing ‘Safe Space’
After graduating with a master’s from the Faculty of Painting Sculpture and Graphic Arts at Silpakorn University in 2017, Nordiana became a caregiver for her father who had kidney disease and required home peritoneal dialysis four times a day. However last year, her father passed away due to Covid19. Losing her father led Nordiana to experience early-stage depression and to release her stress, she concentrated on her art.
“I was stressed during the pandemic since my parents and I were infected with Covid-19. We had to stay in a sterile room for 30 days. During that time, we witnessed people dying every day. When a nurse diagnosed me with early-stage depression, I decided to create an art installation inspired by the sterile room which was later exhibited at Patani Artspace.”
Nordiana discovered that creating art helped her manage stress. That experience inspired her to come up with the project “Safe Space” in which she asked patients with kidney disease, their caregivers and healthcare professionals to participate. The project consists of four art pieces made from dialysis bags and a video featuring interviews. Eleven people as well as herself participated in the project.
“‘Safe Space’ is a social art project and the first time that I worked with other people to create art. Over the four years that I took care of my father, I often met patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. I learned that everyone has their own struggles, so I wanted to interview them,” said Nordiana.
“A young patient felt pressure because he wanted to work, but his kidney disease prevented him from doing heavy labour. Some patients were stressed about waiting for a kidney transplant. Caregivers were exhausted and stressed, especially when their patients gave them trouble. One nurse mentioned that when she started working in 2010, there was only one patient who needed peritoneal dialysis, but now, there were 19 patients. Healthcare professional have to handle various kinds of patients and know how to communicate in a way that helps them feel at ease.”
When Nordiana saw a hospital campaign to reuse dialysis bags, she decided to create pillows and bags from them and even donated some proceeds to the hospital. Artwork in “Safe Space” was made from several dialysis bags, each with a drawing on them and stitched together to become a large art piece. The work has a shirt belonging to Nordiana’s father stitched on it as a tribute.
“Participants were excited about the project. They were eager to see how their drawing on the dialysis bags would be presented at the exhibition. While I do not expect them to be able to completely overcome their stress like I did, I hope to introduce to them the idea that creating art is another way of managing stress. I hope this exhibition encourages patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. Moreover, I hope it inspires everyone to take care of their health, so they do not become a burden and can spend more time with their loved ones,” concluded Nordiana.
“Early Years Project #7: A Change In The Paradigm” runs at the main exhibition gallery, 7th Floor, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Rama I Road, until May 12. Admission is free. For more information, visit facebook.com/ baccpage.