‘ASIA PACIFIC’
is now on view at Studio B
“Who am I and where did I come from? How did I get here and what has influenced me to become who I am? What do I hope to accomplish? What are my challenges and how have I been a challenge to others?
“These and other questions will be addressed in a cultural exchange hosted by Studio B Fine Art Gallery during an exhibit of art of international artists from New Zealand, Thailand and South Korea,” announced Jane Stahl, Studio B’s director of community relations.
“Asia Pacific,” an exhibition of art from international artists from the Asian Pacific Rim, is now on view.
“We are grateful to Tessi Melchior, executive director for the Foundation for Boyertown Education, who coordinated the fundraising through the generosity of Body-Borneman Insurance Company, the United Way of Boyertown, the Melchior Family, and Fred Beans Ford of Boyertown,” Stahl continued.
“Asia Pacific” will be on view at Studio B Fine Art Gallery, 39A East Philadelphia Ave. in Boyertown, through Sept. 9.
The exhibit representing 7 artists is curated by Chutima Kerdpitak, known as Nok, a multidisciplinary artist born in Thailand and currently living in the United Kingdom. Several other artists will accompany Nok as part of the exchange.
This is Nok’s second visit and exhibit in Boyertown. In 2013, Kerdpitak brought the works of over 60 international artists to Boyertown for an exhibit entitled “Circus Terminal Worldwide.”
The visiting artists will visit Middle School East, Middle School West, and Boyertown Senior High School to discuss their lives, art and, culture; demonstrate techniques and offer opportunities to engage in art activities. The artists will meet with students who visit the exhibit at Studio B to discuss the art and address questions.
Demonstrations, workshops and discussions are also planned for the community. The artists will be available as guest speakers for arts organizations, civic and service clubs.
“The insight into the lives and culture of artists from around the world — through their work and their presence in our rural small town — is of immeasurable value in the education of our young people,” continued Stahl.
“How often does one have a chance to learn directly from folks of another country on the other side of the world?” she queried. “The challenges facing our world today require collaboration within the global community. Conflicts continue to threaten every corner of the world.
“As we develop stronger friendships with these artists who call themselves ‘outsider artists’ we enjoy a unique opportunity to compare and contrast our world and theirs and create a better understanding and increased appreciation of one another toward building a better, and more peaceful, world community,” Stahl concluded.
Kerdpitak’s own artwork that she describes as “manipulation of the mainstream versus freedom of choice” is in “found objects,” sculptural installation, mixed media and painting and comes from her personal journey through discouragement—common among artists—to the “YES”—encouragement she found through sharing with other artists.
Her own renaissance resulted in her taking on the role of curator — visiting and mounting exhibits featuring the work of dozens of artists around the world — and in realizing that these opportunities inspired confidence in other passionate and dedicated artists who were intent, like herself, in breaking barriers that allowed for greater creativity.
Accompanying Kerdpitak will be Lynn Todd and Jenny Hartley of New Zealand; both are sculptors and multi-disciplinary artists. Todd lived in the United Kingdom for over nine years before returning to New Zealand.
“Who am I?” is the focus of Todd’s work. She seeks to explore how artists of diverse cultures project their identity and maintain their well-being in the midst of the challenges and complications present in the human condition and in their interrelationships between the individual, family, community, and the universal environment in which we all exist.
Hartley’s works follow the history of animal trade and the effects on environment in the historical connection of New Zealand with other countries.
Also accompanying Kerdpitak will be Pam Santi, a Thai artist who settled in Memphis, Tennessee, whose work reflects her feelings and the influences of her former home on her present life.
The works of Ittirawee Chotirawee and Jade Chorkularb, Thai artists now living in the United Kingdom, and the work of South Korean artist Sejin Park will be shown in the exhibition.
Art critic Ron Schira noted of the 2013 exhibit, “The true draw and value of this exhibit is not the art per se, but the willing international cooperation of artists worldwide to make such an event as this actually work.”