Chayapong Charuvastr

ARTIST STATEMENT

“Without Leaving Home” explores the state of mind of “feeling at home.” Charuvastr poses the question, “What exactly is this feeling of being at home?” Human beings are experiencing distractions and chaos in varying degrees on a daily basis. We become lost, disorientated, scared, broken, and overwhelmed with this harsh environment especially in the pressure of global urbanization. Many of us desperately seek home via external sources. The mostly ignored fact is that the more we look for home, the further we will drift away from it. If we pause and take a moment to be with ourselves, we will realize that home is nowhere else but in our own heart.

Through a series of eight paintings depicting a façade of mid-20th century architecture, Charuvatr draws a parallel between the stillness of the artwork to the peace of the mind. In his research, he rediscovers the architectural gems from the 1950’s era scattered around Bangkok. The pastel color palette and soft shadows make reference to the atmospheric light of the morning sun.

BIOGRAPHY

Using Bangkok as his visual library, Chayapong Charuvastr finds his imagery from what he calls neglected architectural gems.

After spending 10 years in the United States, he was influenced by Retro America, sign painting, and antiquing. He finds an affinity with buildings from the mid-century era (1950s-60s). While his settings are devoid of living beings, his chosen locations become expressions of their own. Buildings are captured at angles, expressing both the feeling of the viewer walking past as well as the idea that these buildings are slowly being forgotten as the city moves forward into the future.

The passerby in the street is merged with the passerby of the painting. The building becomes the point where the here and now merges with the past and future.

A Thai national, Charuvastr graduates with BFA from Pratt Institute, New York City. He lives and works in Bangkok, Thailand.

IN THE PRESS

bangkomkpost.com

Painting for the love of home

Chayapong Charuvastr’s fondness for architecture and time at military boot camp inspired his latest exhibition