Even if the rooster does not crow, the sun will still rise in the morning.
Swindler by Virasinee Kongtaweeboon
Swindler (2013) by Virasinee KongtaweeboonArt Centre Silpakorn University
Virasinee Kongtaweeboon has crafted oil paintings that showcase an engaging brushstroke technique, using lines and colors that exude playfulness. These strokes invite viewers to follow along with the lively, fluid gestures of the characters depicted in the artwork.
The artist not only aims to convey paintings with soft, warm colors but also weaves in emotions stemming from a simmering social consciousness. Her work intriguingly incorporates dark humor to reflect societal issues within a capitalist world.
A smiling face dressed in a long-sleeved uniform adorned with numerous insignias and two watches on the wrist, symbolizing rank and wealth, reaches out to receive an abundance of food and resources from an ethnic woman who returns the smile in response.
Nearby, a face wearing a graduate's cap is juxtaposed with overlapping, multi-dimensional faces that emerge in a peculiar and cryptic manner.
In a social context, this symbolism could be interpreted as reflecting the behavior of those with educational privilege who exploit opportunities, akin to deceitful tricksters who cannot be trusted.
A figure wearing a buffalo head, bent forward with their back parallel to the ground and adorned in ethnic attire, serves as a symbol likened to the working class or marginalized ethnic groups.
It represents those burdened, oppressed, exploited and forced to endure while confronting capitalists who approach solely for their own gain.
Swindler (2013) by Virasinee KongtaweeboonArt Centre Silpakorn University
Additionally, the image of a rooster crowing at sunrise evokes the moral fable "Because I crow, the sun rises," which serves as a metaphor for those in power who often overestimate their own importance.
It highlights their tendency to become enamored with and cling to success, forgetting the natural order and the continuity of life that persists even after their reign comes to an end.
Swindler (2013) by Virasinee KongtaweeboonArt Centre Silpakorn University
This painting conveys a thought-provoking message to the viewers, encouraging them to reflect on living amidst societal changes.
It highlights the case of a group of individuals who focus solely on seeking personal wealth, to the point of neglecting the way of life of others in the society.
This work, awarded the Silver Medal of Honor at the 30th Contemporary Art Exhibition by Young Artists in 2013, subtly conveys its meaning through symbolic elements in the painting. It impressively embeds satire and irony, addressing the issue of exploitation between grassroots communities and the capitalist or political elite. The subject remains a contemporary theme that is relatively easy to grasp.
Check out more arts from Thailand at Thailand Art Up Close.
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