Plern Inthira

This project is my first project in the IB Art program. We were told to explore the topic we are interested in about Thailand and to study a local artist. I chose the topic "superstition" because I feel that it is an important part of my culture and I am also a believer of it. The theme of this project is, however, to show the irrelevance of some of the most common beliefs in Thailand, such as the red carbonated drink which is supposed to be a replacement for blood as an offering for the spirits. "But how could a tinted carbonated drink be comparable to real blood?" you might ask, and that is exactly my point. Some beliefs are just there for the sake of being there and nothing else, and I believe that those beliefs are not necessarily the ones to follow, but rather ancient and arbitrary. The crooked wooden frames also play a big part in my piece because it shows how the followers of these beliefs are thinking inside an ancient and decaying box. I was inspired to use mixed media in this first project from my referencing artist, Siriporn Jongrakchart (สิริพร จงรักชาติ) especially from her painting called "The Way of Affection 3". She is not a well-known artist by any means, rather an amateur, but her painting depicts very personal aspect of her life which is very inspiring and I think it is also a very brave thing to do. She also won a scholarship from the "The Best Art Thesis Exhibition 2013" which is a project by the Queen of Thailand as well.