Prapoj Kumjinda is a young Thai artist who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from Bunditpatanasilpa Institute in Bangkok, Thailand. In his first exhibition, NUDE Collection, he gathered paintings produced during 2015 and 2016 which express “the beautiful body of women in various manners” and forms with lines from the artist’s own identity.
In this interview, Prapoj talks about his studies, the influences in his art, and his first exhibition, NUDE Collection.
You’ve recently graduated from university. What did a degree in Fine Arts teach you?
The university taught me skills but didn’t teach me how to know more about myself. And it doesn’t matter that much. What matters is the valuable moment when we prove ourselves during university. I think the experience we have got is more valuable than the grade in class. It’s very important for living a real life.
Have you “discovered” your personal style yet?
I don’t really have one. My works could vary depending on the time and the materials I have at my disposition at the moment.
Which Thai and international artists influenced you the most?
A lot of artists and non-artist have influenced me, such as: Egon Schiele, Ai Weiwei, Marcel Duchamp, Thanonchai Sornsriwichai and Jon Jandai.
Tell us more about your first solo exhibition Nude. What’s the concept behind it?
This is my first exhibition. I want to express the beautiful body of women in various manners. I’m passionate about the body of women. I think everyone is passionate about the body of the opposite gender. And other creatures might be the same as we are. I want the audience who visits my NUDE Collection to use their own experience to see what my works tell them.
Isn’t this a “controversial” topic in Thai art?
Absolutely, because Thailand is a Buddhist country. Thai people are too intense in terms of religious matters and traditional patterns by holding on to the morals and social values of old times. They aren’t ready to open up for many kinds of content. Nudity is one of them.
Who were your models?
My close friends and AV models.
Why such a big difference between the degree of nudity in your paintings? Some are suggestive while others very reveling?
It’s just the way it is. Sometimes I want to be suggestive and sometimes I let my emotion lead the way.
What plans do you have for the future?
I hope I can do anything that “means” something for other people or at least do something that causes least harm to our planet.
Have you though of exploring with other mediums, not only painting?
Certainly. There are a lot of things on this planet that I didn’t use to create artwork yet. Please wait and see what I would do with then.
NUDE Collection Exhibition Poster
NUDE Collection had its opening reception on September 10, 2016 at Midnice Gallery in Bangkok. The exhibition stayed open until September 30, 2016. Visit the gallery’s Facebook page for more details.
great interview, fun read, sounds like a real creative mind
Thanks for your comments.