Animal instinct
Piyasak Khieosaard shows his wild side in his Bangkok exhibition
Chiang Mai-based street artist Piyasak Khieosaard, known in the art circle as “Mauy”, is an animal lover. Raised in Chiang Mai, the 30-year-old was surrounded by nature and felt connected to animals. That connection later became inspiration — and his artistic signature.
Through his street art, he mixes animal features with other elements that criticise human beings, while exploring the interconnected relationship between living things and their environment.
“Second Nature” is his solo exhibition, featuring the endearing illustrations he has created over the years. Guru speaks with the man behind these mysterious, mythical illustrations.
What do you like most about street art?
I think street art is accessible to everyone, without any discrimination. The size and style can vary from place to place, which makes it challenging for the artist. What I like best about it is that when people walk past it, they can — and usually do — stop and talk about it. That’s something that drawing on a canvas at home can’t do.
How would you describe your style?
When people think of me, they think of cute animals and hidden meanings.
Tell us about this exhibition.
This exhibition brings together various emotions that I think animals feel. I want people to see the beauty of nature and remind themselves that they are actually a part of it. I want them to realise that we don’t really give wild animals much thought, even though we exist in the same world.
What do you expect from this exhibition? Beyond presenting myself and my ideas, I want people to think about nature, or at least to see the adorable side of wild animals. That might make them stop disturbing these creatures, at least momentarily. I can’t change the world alone, but I hope my illustrations can wake up the animal-loving side in everyone.