9 Art Gallery / Architect Studio

[Limbo]

The first art gallery of Chiang Rai, Ahimsa, opened its doors more than ten years ago and was shortlived.

It came too early. The local artists weren't ready for it (a universal truth: put three artist together and you have a war going on) and an interested audience hardly existed. Art was not percepted as part of reality in Chiang Rai. Even within the framework of home decoration it wasn't an item. Some Royal Portraits were obligatory. Furthermore a calendar (banks and Singha beer) and in many cases some pin-ups (saved from old calendars) and football teams (magazine pages). That was it.

And it might have remained that way if Khun Sompong and Khun Saowannee wouldn't have started 9 ART GALLERY several years later .

Thanks to a professional approach, their admirable perseverence, the changes in time and maybe also a little bit because of the magical 9 added to the name of the gallery, Chiang Rai has now a full-grown art gallery.

Finally there is a meeting place in Chiang Rai where the public can embrace the work of its artists and where the artists can reach out for their public.

Against the background of the complete inertia of the official cultural institutions in Chiang Rai (where the concept of culture hardly reaches further than 'something we can sell to tourists') it is the private initiative which we must rely on.

Among others Khun Sompong and Khun Saowannee (9 Art Gallery) are shouldering this task. They deserve our greatest respect!

Also some foreign residents, Count Gerald van der Straten Ponthoz (Insiithaihouse), Guy Heidelberger (Alliance Française) and Drs. John Jeurissen (Siam-Wilanda) each on their own way try to contribute to a broadening of cultural life in Chiang Rai.

The 9 Art Gallery is at the 'superhighway', coming from Mengrai monument going to the bridge over the Kok River, after 200 meter on your left.

Until 30 November '05 an exhibition of the work of Alongkorn Lauwhattana.

Limbo.

Edited December 15, 2005 by Limbo

[Limbo]

Untill 31 December in 9 Art Gallery/Architect Sudio:

'Painting, Printing and Thai Tradition' an exhibition of the works of Cherdchai Kanjanasirirat, Pongsiri Kiddee and Suratin Tatana.

Artworks based on classic Thai iconographic metaphorical language, thus saturated with a symbolism based on traditional Thai artistic concepts.

If not metaphysical as such, than certainly inspired by a Buddhist approach in finding the elusive and thus invisible truth of life. As the finding itself is beyond reach, it is the search which is visualised. Or if you so wish, the actual process of visualisation is reflecting the artistic quest.

In this the artists try to explore the limits of their imagination.

Limbo .

Edited December 15, 2005 by Limbo

[Limbo]

Untill 31 December in 9 Art Gallery/Architect Sudio:

'Painting, Printing and Thai Tradition' an exhibition of the works of Cherdchai Kanjanasirirat, Pongsiri Kiddee and Suratin Tatana.

Artworks based on classic Thai iconographic metaphorical language, thus saturated with a symbolism based on traditional Thai artistic concepts. 

If not metaphysical as such, than certainly inspired by a Buddhist approach in finding the elusive and thus invisible truth of life. As the finding itself is beyond reach, it is the search which is visualised. Or if you so wish, the actual process of visualisation is reflecting the artistic quest.

In this the artists try to explore the limits of their imagination.

Limbo .

Not that the above is pure nonsense, no, there is a point in it. But anyhow, I can understand if you choose to ignore it.

I actually would do too if I hadn't written it myself.

Writing about art is a contradiction in terms. Art should and normally does speak for itself. With words you write a book, with paint you make a painting.

Canadian painter Robert 'Bob' Potter has been working in Chiang Rai for about ten years. Now he will leave us for a while.

As a kind of temporary goodbye he shows the result of his work in the gallery of bookshop Gare Garon (the two upper floors).

Bob's work speaks for itself. It speaks by its beauty and the associations it spontaneous evokes. And these associations are sculptured between your own ears, they are yours. The work of Bob is easily accessed, it speaks directly to you.

Yes, it embraces you! If you don't believe me, go and have a look! I pay your beer if you prove me wrong!

In the gallery of Gare Garon you can keep your shoes on, so it is easy to walk in.

You won't get bitten by the dog either, even if he or she looks very well capable of doing so.

It is not really 'done' to talk about earthly things like money in association with art. So please ignore the following as well:

The work of Bob is of very high quality. Only art-freaks and rich people could afford to buy it in Europe or North America.

Bad enough for Bob there are no art-freaks in Chiang Rai and the rich people of Chiang Rai often prefer to spend their money on fancy licence numbers.

Dear tourists, works of art can be rolled up and so be transported in a safe way.

Most framed works fit in an average suitcase (art, framed, for the price of only the frame in Europe or America). You you will enjoy it for the rest of your life.

It is the real thing!

But expats! Be ahead of the tourists! Many Thai houses have relatively few and small windows. That leaves us with a lot of wall.

The works of Bob are windows in themselves. Open up your houses, you won't regret it.

Limbo

Gare Garon, mainstreet, almost opposite the nightbazaar, next to the Dutch style restaurant!

[Limbo]

To-morrow (at least if you read this posting to-day), Saturday the 8th of April, a new art exhibition will be opened at 9 Art Gallery.

The 'vernissages' at 9 Art Gallery are social happenings, known for their very nice ambiance. They are very professionally organized and a joyfull moment to everybody present.

It will be the work of artist Nattawee Yeela which will be exposed to the public.

Think about how you would feel to expose your inner emotions. Even if laid down in paint on a canvas they still would be expressions of a very personal nature.

It's the fate of an artist to bare his or her souls's unburdenings to a wider public.

So it is Nattawee's turn this time.

I thank Khun Nattawee to share her work with us by exposing it.

The exhibition is called 'Season of Colours' and if you look at the invitation card you indeed see landscapes sparkling like colourful fireworks against a bright firmament.

The exhibition will last untill 30 April, so even if you miss the opening (at 7.00 pm)...

Interesting is that the vernissage will be presided over by Gerry1011, who during the last years gained recognition as a prominent promotor of northern art and culture within the Province of Chiang Rai.

An absolute 'no-nonsense'-man, speaking the meta-language of art?

Or will his words reflect wider views on art 'as such' and its suppositiuos position in Chiang Rai?

Chiang Rai, a town with a great and vivacious community of artists, with the potential of a Balinese Ubud, a Dutch Bergen, a French Honfleur, a Southafrican Stellenbosch.

How many gallery's does it have?

Yes, just one: 9 Art Gallery! Thanks to Khun Sompong, thanks to Khun Saowannee!

Limbo

[mumbojumbo]

Limbo,

You must be maew-you answered your own post 3 times

[Limbo]

Limbo,

You must be maew-you answered your own post 3 times

Thanks for your very substantial contribution Mumbojumbo .

Until now you are the only guestwriter in this topic about art .

If I would have known on forehand that you would push your brush in the paint I would have announced it.

Art consists of movement, sound or paint and a lot of air.

I am the person who does the air.

So I don't have to grow my hair.

Limbo

[gerry1011]

Uhm... nothing much too add

But indeed, 9 Art Gallery is there to support and give life to the artistic community of Chiangrai. They deserve to be supported by our presence.

[Joel Barlow]

What's this "only one"???

What about shops in the Night Bazaar? Not art? Not galleries? OK...

How about the Haw Shan across from Family Bakery? It's had shows... OK, not regular...

But what about the new Lanna Gallery on what - Rachyothin Soi 3 or something - the street going to SanKhongNoi just east of Den Ha? Pretty good art there too!

Then there's Karegaron's new place on Jet Jod.

And framing shops, with plenty of pictures of the king and wife!

I don't know what's up with Ban Dam by Rajapat, but recall the whole place as a kind of gallery...

[Limbo]

What's this "only one"???

What about shops in the Night Bazaar? Not art? Not galleries? OK...

How about the Haw Shan across from Family Bakery? It's had shows... OK, not regular...

....... You are absolutely right Joel. It was called Haw Silp Khon Muang. They opened with a great exhibition of the works of the local 'Sala' of artists: The Exhibition of Arts 2000 Chiang Rai.

As far as I remember this exhibition was not only the first, but also the last. A pity!

But what about the new Lanna Gallery on what - Rachyothin Soi 3 or something - the street going to SanKhongNoi just east of Den Ha? Pretty good art there too!

....... Thanks for mentioning it Joel. In the Taiyuan Art Gallery you can see a contemporary art exhibition of the work of '49 Thai Artists in Lanna'. I think Acharn Chalong Pinitsuwan is the curator.

The show gives an excellent overview of the work of not only prominent artists but also their hardworking colleagues on the background. A visit to this gallery is a must for everybody who seeks an introduction to Chiang Rai visual arts. The exhibition will last untill the end of April.

Indeed, Thanon Rajotha (sp?), coming from the townside going to Den Haa, the second soi to the left (on the corner there is a big motorcycle shop and opposite the big cremationplace).

Then there's Karegaron's new place on Jet Jod.

And framing shops, with plenty of pictures of the king and wife!

I don't know what's up with Ban Dam by Rajapat, but recall the whole place as a kind of gallery...

....... Yes Joel, I would also like to hear what is going on there. The 'Ban Dam' at Nang Leh (sp?) is a creation of national artist Tawann Duchanee, a very flamboyant character and one of the most famous artist of Thailand (among many other institutions he studied at the Rijksakademie of Amsterdam in the late sixties of last century). It consists of about nine buildings, all with a theme. The shape and character of the buildings correspondent with the furnishing. It's total art, environmental art, whatever you want to call it.

Hi Mumbo, now it is your turn again

Limbo

Edited April 8, 2006 by Limbo

[mumbojumbo]

Hi Mumbo, now it is your turn again [/color]

Limbo

Jeez Limbo, ya kinda put me on the spot. For arts sake, its hard to beat the porn on the net, but i do enjoy the hilltribe art displayed at a lot of places. I don't have the money you have to buy real art. Cheap prints are fine with me. Art is in the eye of the beholder, with monitary limitations. Art is good. Art is the recordance of existense. Art is for arts sake. For arts sake, I gotta to go go bed.

[Limbo]

Jeez Limbo, ya kinda put me on the spot. For arts sake, its hard to beat the porn on the net, but i do enjoy the hilltribe art displayed at a lot of places. I don't have the money you have to buy real art. Cheap prints are fine with me. Art is in the eye of the beholder, with monitary limitations. Art is good. Art is the recordance of existense. Art is for arts sake. For arts sake, I gotta to go go bed.

Dear Mumbo, I knew I could rely on you!

After working for more than twenty years in this business I finally came to the same conclusion as you did. But come on, somebody has to keep up the images

As I said: Art is a lot of air!

And I do the part about the air,

While you watch your underwear!

Limbo

[erg]

Dear Limbo, i noticed you are interested in art a lot, and now i see you are replying saying you are in this buissiness more then twenty years now.

Very interesting, Drs proffesor, can you tell us a little bit more about your past please.

Erg.

No, that would be off-topic as off-topic it could be.

If you have a personal interest I will whisper it in your ear next time I have an Erdinger at your place. This forum is a public space. We should respect each others privacy, otherwise it might lead to the uttering of personal frustrations, insinuations and plain gossip. Chiang Rai is the topic, not the belly of the farang community (unless it is about delicacies)!

Limbo.

Edited April 12, 2006 by Limbo

[erg]

Sorry Drs. Prof. member of honeur from Bo,s Bowling budies (the first and therefour oldest Bowling club in Chiang Rai) life artist, retired but highly respected museum director, and first of all ofcourse moderator.

[little_muppet]

i wish i have an artistic mind.....:s

[Chiang Rai Guy]

This Saturday there is a new venue at 9 Art called Snappers. No, I didn't pick the name. Anyway, featured there will be...well, snapshots from seven different people. The concept is simple and most are truely of this nature, capturing the moment to some degree.

The featured artists are owner/manager of 9 Art Sompong Sarasap, Tinnakorn Nugul (Neung - Freelance), Patthamapon Niyomphan (Art Teacher SWK Chiang Rai), Auttakit Pankaew (Owner and studio engineer at B-Fine Restaurant), Adisorn Srisaowanunt (Architect Silipakorn Bangkok), Chanon Nonthawasee (Graphic designer), and Lance Frederick (Manager of AUA)

All are invited.

[Limbo]

To morrow, Saturday July 8th a new exhibition will open at 9 Art Gallery/Architect Studio.

It will show paintings of Chaiwichit Sitthiwong, a landscape painter.

I only saw some small printings of his work, but it looks promising.

For obvious reasons many artists of the North find their inspiration in nature.

Chaiwichit is one of them.

The opening of the exhibition takes place at 7.00 pm and will be presided over by

Mrs. Rattana Jongsuttanamanee, the Chief Executive of the Provincial Administration Organization of Chiang Rai.

The exhibition will last until July 31th. Opening hours 10.00 am to 8.00 pm (Mondays closed).

Limbo

[Limbo]

From August 5 to 31 the exhibition "Static image .... of Unstatic World + Sounds of Silences" will be held at the 9 Art Gallery /Architect Studio.

The exhibit shows paintings of Rungsak Dokbua and Amorn Pinpimai.

Mr. Rungsak Dokbua painted several portraits of His Majesty The King honoring that He has been inspiring and guiding His Kingdom Thailand for 60 years now, which positions Him at the same time as the longest ruling monarch on earth.

Mr. Amorn Pinpimai shows abstract work, leaning towards neo-expressionism.

A unique, surprising and daring combination.

The opening will be presided over by Acharn Nakorn Pongnoi, the Founder and Director of the Rai Mae Fah Luang of Chiang Rai (Saturday August 5th at 7.00 p.m.)

Limbo

[Limbo]

Some impressions of the latest exhibition in 9 Art Gallery / Architect Studio.

The Royal portraits, painted by Rungsak Dokbua, add a surprising dimension to the general image of His Majesty the King as it is presented to us at a thousand other occasions.

Where even no photographer ever succeeded, where no billboard artist even could dream about Rungsak Dokbua did: In paint he managed to add a fascinating human dimension to the way the King of Kings usually is depicted, thus enabling the spectators to canalize their love and admiration for the Monarch in an refreshing open and mere unconditional way.

Where the camera registers and the skilled hands of billboard artists reproduce, Rungsak Dokbua created images far beyond the potential of the naked, observing eye. His portraits reflect the greatness of a gifted artist in expressing his own personal love for the King of Thailand.

It was a perfect choice of the curators of the exhibition to show the works of Amorn Pinpimai together with the portraits. The esoteric character of Amorn's work creates a balance with the evocation in the work of Rungsak. With an unusual but very appealing color pallet he leads us to a world of imagination, just handing us some sober abstract hints how to enter it.

An excellent exhibition!

Limbo

[Limbo]

Tomorrow 16 September a new exhibit will be opened at 9 Art Gallery / Architect Studio.

As usual at 7 pm.

The artist is Khun Sompong Sarasap, who gave his one-man-show the title 'On the ordinary days'.

The exhibition, showing his latest oil paintings, will be on view until October 5.

Limbo