When Pratchaya Uthayanin was a third-year student at the Faculty of Painting, Sculpture and Graphic Arts at Silpakorn University, his father was diagnosed with cancer. Pratchaya was in and out of the hospital with his father who went through chemotherapy and other treatments for two years until he passed away. That experience inspired him to create a thesis titled "Signification And Representative Of Death".
"While I was in the hospital, it was a time of life and death. As a student, the situation was a burden because I am an only child and my mother was suffering from paralysis. I had to plan my future. When I was working on the thesis, my adviser and I decided that the thesis should not focus on my personal experience but should involve the significance of death in several cultures," Pratchaya explained.
"Water is a symbol of death in many cultures. For example, Hindus believe that the Ganges River can bring spirits to heaven. Also, Buddhists believe that floating ashes of the deceased in a river will wash away their sins and they will go to heaven. My first exhibition titled 'Signification And Representative Of Death' represented a dimension that connects life and death," he added.
After Pratchaya finished his art thesis and exhibited his work at Eria Exhibition last May, he created another exhibition titled "Vital Signs", which is currently on display at the People's Gallery, Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC). "Vital Signs" consists of six installation pieces that create an ambience of a cemetery and a hospital. Three installations -- Untitled Image, Invisible Phenomenon and Look At Me -- are showcased in a dark room which makes visitors feel they are at a cemetery. The other three installations -- Still Together, Untitled and Impermanent -- feature red colour and machinery that remind visitors of medical equipment used in hospitals.
"When I accompanied my father to the hospital, I was interested in medical electronic devices that had movement, so I created that ambience in this exhibition. At 'Vital Signs', I want visitors to feel an atmosphere like that of a hospital or a place that is related to death," the artist explained.
In a dark room, Untitled Image depicts many portraits of deceased people made from printmaking technique. Some portraits look new while others are cracked, damaged and faded.
"Untitled Image was inspired by portraits of the deceased that people can see at temples where cremated ashes are kept. Some portraits are old and damaged because they have been abandoned. I used my own picture to represent deceased people, so there is no problem about copyright," he said.
Invisible Phenomenon depicts a tall transparent container filled with cremation ashes which are located in the middle of a bonfire. There are ashes beneath the firewood and many mirrors are placed around the bonfire.
"This installation was inspired by a monument and a crematory to question whether our identities are important or not. Invisible Phenomenon embodies an object which is either cremated or destroyed. The mirrors reflect visitors in order to make them question their identity," Pratchaya explained.
Still Together is a transparent square container filled with blood-red liquid topped with an aluminium sheet. Beneath the containers is a messy pile of long IV tubes covered with blood-red liquid. The artist explained that the installation embodies either a hospital lab or an intensive care unit.
"I used food colour to resemble blood. Under the aluminium sheet is an airbag that can inflate upward and downward like breathing movements, but the aluminium puts pressure on the airbag. It depicts the condition between life and death," he said.
Pratchaya explained that Impermanent combined his ideas regarding hospitals and glass cabinets that showcase skeletons at Siriraj Medical Museum.
"Impermanent depicts a human-size transparent cabinet that has a screen to reflect visitors' reflections. I read books about the last light that people see before they pass away, so I used fluorescent lamps to signify the last light," said Pratchaya.
It is not easy to cope when you experience the loss of a loved one. Pratchaya said he got through it by following what he read in philosophy books.
"I read many philosophy books about life and death. I particularly like books by Jiddu Krishnamurti, an Indian philosopher, and Pramuan Pengchan, a Thai author. I learned from Jiddu that we should be observant and not judgmental. When I knew about my father's condition, I initially denied the truth, but I later tried to be less emotional and more rational," said Pratchaya.
Death is still a sensitive and taboo issue for many Thais. Thus, this stigma may cause artists who want to create art pieces related to death some difficulty in attracting collectors. However, Pratchaya said this is not a problem since renowned Thai artists such as Kamin Lertchaiprasert and Nino Sarabutra also create artworks related to death.
"I think the concept of death is not an obstacle to attract collectors, but it is more about work form. However, I do not create art for selling but create to learn and experiment. I realise that I need a budget to create more art pieces, so I formed a team and we produce sculptures and installations for other artists and interior companies. I am fine with it because it allows me to use my artistic skills," said Pratchaya.
Pratchaya hopes that his exhibition will encourage people to talk more about death.
"Death should not be considered a bad or evil topic. People should be open to discussion about it since it is undeniable that everyone will eventually face it. We should understand the issue and prepare for our future," concluded Pratchaya.
"Vital Signs" runs at People's Gallery, Bangkok Art & Culture Centre until Oct 2. Free admission. Visit facebook.com/baccpage for more information.
