Home... (Note from the New Word) (2006) by Kiatanan IamchanArt Centre Silpakorn University
The artwork “Home...{Note from the New Word}” is a painting that invites viewers to immerse themselves in the emotions and hidden meanings within the image.
It seamlessly blends traditional Thai painting techniques with a cartoon drawing style that incorporates satirical and dark humor.
The painting incorporates a two-dimensional, flat style combined with sharp light and shadow contrasts.
The background uses contrasting light and dark tones, with red serrated lines dividing the image into three sections, evoking the "sinthao" lines or scene-dividing lines typical of traditional Thai mural paintings.
This technique enhances the sense of dimension and accentuates the central image, making it stand out prominently.
Home... (Note from the New Word) (2006) by Kiatanan IamchanArt Centre Silpakorn University
Kiatanan Iamchan chose synthetic leather as the medium for his work, crafting a rough and cracked texture on the surface by leaving traces of dark acrylic paint. This approach aligns with the feelings of fear and confusion, resonating with the narrative of the land of hell.
The artist invites viewers to interpret the identities of each character, each depicted in a distinct pose, reflecting different ways of life within society. This serves to emphasize the social diversity that, according to the artist, is a contributing factor to the emergence of violence within the community.
Home... (Note from the New Word) (2006) by Kiatanan IamchanArt Centre Silpakorn University
In the center of the painting, a group of glowing yellow characters, all with smiling faces and comical expressions, stand closely together in stark contrast to the dark black background representing the depths of hell.
This striking visual element immediately captures the viewer’s attention, evoking feelings of surprise, irony and contradiction simultaneously.
The depiction of half-human, half-animal creatures with grotesque and fearsome appearances, along with the intricate detailing of the black areas filled with long, sharp thorns on both the upper and lower sections forming the central axis of the painting.
Resembling the mythical "thorn tree"—serves as a representation of the traditional "image" of hell. This presentation straightforwardly incorporates Buddhist beliefs and moral teachings.
It can be said that this work seamlessly integrates the concept of creation with social issues in Thailand during 2006, specifically addressing the violent situations in society that claimed numerous lives. The work serves to remind and raise awareness about coexisting amid diversity within the community.
Check out more arts from Thailand at Thailand Art Up Close.
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