A stint of woodcut prints
Two emerging Thai artists have adopted the ancient technique of woodcut printing to create their own voice for their exhibition “Tactile”, which will kick off tomorrow and run through until Aug 12 at the La Lanta Fine Art gallery.
The exhibition features the result of patience and dedication in the artistic creations of Jakkee Kongkaew and Praween Piangchoompu, whose distinctive visuals are juxtaposed.
Using small wood carving tools with deep grooves, the artists create small lined details similar to pencil drawings that depict nature and architecture, with Jakkee elaborating a systematic order and understanding in the use of lights and shadows.
The alluding contour of his line compositions set his work apart from the typical woodcuts that one normally sees.
Praween uses sandpaper to remove the surface of the wood and systematically applies different shades of the same colour onto the different levels of the surface in order to create images that bear smoothness and softness.
The compositions of light and shade are symbolic of purified minds and peaceful thoughts.
Originating in ancient times in East Asia as a method to create books and images, woodcut printing is used to create “relief” patterns. The area that is carved out appears on the finished print as white while the original surface level appears as black. The relief process is done by hand — either with a knife, a chisel, or sandpaper.
La Lanta Fine Art is on Sukhumvit Soi 31 and is open Tuesday through to Saturday from 10am to 7pm. Call 02-204-0583 for further information.