Cracks in the concrete: The art of Kraiphet “Petch“ Pitakpreechakij
– By Maciek Klimowicz –
Yes, there is a fair number of both well established and new art galleries in the city of Bangkok. Yet when it comes to art, some of its greatest treasures can still be found on its street corners, in busy markets and forgotten backyards. They bloom like flowers through cracks in the concrete. In one such place, I found Kraiphet “Petch“ Pitakpreechakij and his art.
Judging from the crowds invading the Chatuchak Market each weekend, it must be on the “to do list” of both many bangkokians and tourists visiting the city alike. Some come here to shop for clothes, accessories, house décor, live animals, cosmetics, toys… the list goes on. Some visit to hang out at the local cafes, enjoy what might be Bangkok’s best coconut ice cream and to soak in the thrilling atmosphere of this place. Others swing by to snap a picture of what is the city’s most famous bazaar. But if there’s one perfect reason to go all the way up to Mo Chit BTS station on a weekend and deal with the crowds and heat, it is to explore.
Mind you, this won’t be yet another story about the famed JJ, enough has already been said about the city’s favorite giant. Instead, I will tell you who and what I found there, during one of my own escapades. Why then waste your time and my page space talking about the market? Because in case of Kraiphet “Petch “ Pitakpreechakij’s paintings, context matters.
Maybe that’s why they caught my eye; they didn’t seem to belong in the noisy, dusty, and crowded environment of a bazaar, but rather in an air-conditioned, silent space of an art gallery, or even better, someone’s private home. There seems to be something esoteric, even feminine about Petch’s images and not only because they depict beautiful, esoteric women. According to the artist himself, “It’s all in the details, the overlapping objects that give my work some dimension, which emanates through the gentle beauty of flowers and women.” But I have a feeling there’s more. Maybe it’s the colors, somewhat subdued, washed out and giving his portraits a vintage aura? Or maybe it’s something else? Whatever it is, it’s too delicate for the street; Petch’s paintings ask the passersby to be taken home and given shelter from the noisy, violent city.
The same city where Kraiphet “Petch“ Pitakpreechakij was born in 1977. Petch grew up during an ominous time in Thai history, marked by the anti-communists phobia of the ruling classes and the strengthening of the military’s grip on the country. Maybe it was to escape the harsh reality of those years that he turned to art? Who knows, maybe that’s where his delicate style originates, that puts his work in such stark contrast with the heavyweight, overwhelming city? Whatever the reason, despite no other members of his family showing any inclination towards art, Petch begun experimenting with various creative techniques.
Some years later, in 2001 to be precise, he did graduate from the art faculty of Poh-Chang at Bangkok’s Rajamangala University, but according to him, the techniques he uses are of his own creation, including his signature canvas on canvas method. “I like to experiment. I was always interested in creating new techniques – deployment of eye-catching colors, exotic presentation, and impressive story. And I plan on coming up with more original techniques in the future,” he explains.
Over the years Petch works have been featured in several editions of the National Exhibition of Art, the Nokia Art Awards, the Toshiba Art Exhibition and the Bualuang Art Exhibition, but his favorite space remains at Chatuchak, “If you want to see my work, just come to my shop and have a look,” he tells me.
Take a look at Petch’s works we feature in this issue of Exotiq and soon enough, you might find yourself accepting the artist’s invitation and traveling to the Mo Chit Skytrain station. There, amidst the chaos, heat and confusion of the weekend market, delicate ladies with flowers in their hair offer comforting gazes and gentle smiles to anyone who pays them a visit.
To purchase Kraiphet “Petch“ Pitakpreechakij’s art please contact angela@naamagazine.com
