Created by Rush Pleansuk, the mythology of the goddess Mekhala being chased by the thunder deity Ramasura is depicted through nang yai, or a grand shadow play, at the art exhibition "Ramasura". Rush is best known as the winner of the 2019 Designer of the Year award from the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce. He is also a co-founder of the design company Sumphat Gallery, and the architecture company Sumphat Space. The artist confessed that although he works on design for a living, his true passion is art.
"My happiness is art because it allows me to be myself and not compete with others. My artwork is based on my background. 'Ramasura' was inspired by my childhood when I lived with my grandparents in Nakhon Nayok. One day, while it was raining in a field, the sky turned black and lightning flashed in the sky. At that moment, I imagined that it happened because Ramasura was chasing Mekhala. I wanted to express the story that had an impact on me through the medium of a grand shadow play," explained Rush.
On view at the People's Gallery in the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, all of the shadow puppets in "Ramasura" were made from a large piece of cowhide which was artistically carved using traditional techniques. The exhibition is a collaboration between Rush and a nang yai master from Wat Khanon in Ratchaburi. To create an atmosphere resembling that of the sky, the gallery room is filled with beautiful clouds made from carved cowhides. The headdress chada (Thai crown) which represents Mekhala is the most impressive piece with stunning aesthetic design and elaborate details. In contrast to the feminine headdress, two muscular cowhide arms which represent the deity Ramasura are also on display.
"I worked with a master at Wat Khanon because I wanted to weave cultural values into economic growth. This year, my design company Sumphat Gallery will focus on developing items made from carved cowhides since the master of this traditional technique rarely has any commissioned work. At present, shadow play performers have more opportunities to perform than masters, who have to carve cowhides. As a result, the masters have to work other jobs to make a living and fewer young people are showing interest in learning these traditional techniques," said the artist.
Rush earned his master's in timber design and construction at the School of Architecture and Landscape, Bordeaux, France. He later worked with several global design companies, including Serax in Belgium and Harto Design in France.
After winning the Designer of the Year title in 2019, he worked with the government on community projects which allowed him to work with local masters who specialised in traditional techniques. With his ability to blend modern designs with traditional craftsmanship, the finished products were refined. Unfortunately, many products did not sell in local markets, so Rush decided to establish Sumphat Gallery to preserve traditional knowledge.
"While working with communities, I was determined to help solve any problem they had, but their products did not sell locally. Hence, I brought the products to Sumphat Gallery and sold them there, so that the communities could earn money. At Sumphat Gallery, we aim to preserve traditional craft knowledge from disappearing as well as to improve local people's quality of life without them having to leave their hometown. We will never turn craft communities into a factory," he said.
Sumphat Gallery currently collaborates with 12 local villages to create products for companies including high-end global brands. These products, which are made using traditional techniques, include ceramic pottery, brass casting vases, bamboo weaving filters, lacquerware and Benjarong. Rush said he likes to study history which leads him to understand traditional know-how which can be applied to designing a product.
For instance, the ceramic tea container without a handle called kendi was made using local knowledge of artisans in Sukhothai. Rush explained that vintage ceramic collectors do not focus on patterns, but they look at the bottom of containers to see the colours of the clay because that indicates the source of the material. Kendi has the added value of being made from historical clay which is the same material that Sukhothai's antique pottery was made from. It was inspired by kontoe, a traditional pottery container without handles, which was turned upside down.
"The factor that makes me collaborate with communities is trust and quality work. I also work with communities who create disappearing crafts because they are valued, but there are no craftsmen to continue the trade. I want to preserve this knowledge and when it eventually dies out, the products will become collectable items," he said.
In addition to supporting artisans, Rush has created artwork for his own pleasure. His debut exhibition "Genii-Loci" in 2014 was inspired by vintage furniture owned by his family. His latest exhibition, on display at 2023 Bangkok Design Week entitled "Sartorial", was inspired by chatree dance performances.
"'Sartorial' reflects the life of a chatree dancer and teacher who live in a slum. Thai people appreciate chatree dance performances, but they do not support those who work in this profession," explained Rush.
Despite winning many honours such as the G-MARK Award from Japan, the Prime Minister Export Award and DEmark Awards, Rush continues to participate in design competitions without fear.
"Participating in design competitions is important because it broadens your horizons. Some people may question why I still participate in competitions at this age. I believe in equality, so young and old designers should be judged based on their work, not age. Participating in design competitions helps me gain knowledge and understand the changing world. However, I do not believe in art competitions. While design is about uniqueness, art is about identity, so I am not sure that art should be a competition," said Rush.
At "Ramasura", aside from the two main characters -- the goddess Mekhala and the thunder deity Ramasura -- there are many cowhides carved in the shape of animals such as a snake, bird and fox as well as fictional plants. This creates a pleasant atmosphere at the exhibition where visitors can enjoy their time. Rush hopes his exhibition will encourage people to take a greater interest in traditional shadow play.
"I am not sure if viewers will consider my exhibition art because some people do not think traditional Thai craft is art. I hope that people will start to take more of an interest in the carved cowhides used in shadow plays as they are a form of Thai art that can be created to fit into the contemporary world," said Rush.
"Ramasura" runs at People's Gallery, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, until April 30. Admission is free. For more information, visit facebook.com/baccpage.
