Shrine of Life / Benjapakee Shrine

Ceramic artist Vipoo Srivilasa is concerned with issues such as social inequity and cultural displacement and creates artworks that are intended to alleviate their dispiriting effects. As he has said, ‘My work will always be fun, happy and beautiful’. In 2008, having earned renown for meticulous blue and white porcelain sculptures inspired by his Buddhist faith, Thai folktales and his life in Australia, Srivilasa realised his first participatory project, 'Roop-Rote-Ruang (Taste-Touch-Tell'), and now frequently involves audiences in his work.

'Shrine of Life / Benjapakee Shrine' expands his practice, building on its audience-oriented qualities. The artist has created a reflective space that houses five secular deities embodying attributes important to him: love equality, spirituality, security, identity and creativity, and invites visitors to celebrate them with him. The structure is infused with the scent of jasmine familiar to worshippers at Thai temples where the blooms are offered as 'phuang malai' (garlands). It recalls the Lak Mueang shrine in Bangkok, where Srivilasa asked for blessings before he moved to Australia; distinguished by its white and gold architecture, Lak Mueang is similarly protected by five deities. The number five has significance in Buddhist culture: the 'Benjapakee – benja' meaning ‘five’ and 'pakee' meaning ‘associates’ – are the five followers that the Buddha gathered around him at the deer park at Isipatana, where he delivered his first teachings.

Through this work, Srivilasa venerates memories of his Thai homeland, acknowledges what his relocation to Australia has meant to him, and encourages audiences to appreciate our differences and our commonalities