The Second Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane, Australia, 1996 : Report

Zai Kuning is an artist who works across art forms such as installation, performance , dance , theatre and music. H i s work is process-based and involves elements that are thoughtfully selected, and deliberately sited and arranged. An important feature of his work is the emphasis on art as a process rather than as an image. His work in the Second Triennial comprises pieces made of wax and focuses on two main themes: the ways in which the body is 'treated' in different cultures, and the intentions behind the selection, classification and presentation of h istorical objects. Additionally, the work reflects the artist's concerns about the selective recording of history. THAILAND Yupha Changkoon, a consummate printmaker, presented two etching assemblages entitled Waiting for the moon I and Waiting for the moon II. The works move away from the traditional two-dimensional format of pri nts. The artist produced the etchings on paper envelopes which she then arranged in a grid. Natural materials such as leaves and twigs as well as traditional Thai sa paper have been incorporated into many pieces. The works are an intimate chronicle of her travels and friendships in the Thai countryside and blend poetically with Oriental philosophy. The artist says in her statement: These pictures record the surroundings and impressions of country life and the simplicity of Thai ways. Experiences gained from travelling and talking with acquaintances are transformed into imaginations and special feelings that express the spirit of being Thai. Problem-Wisdom is a sculptural assemblage of 366 papier-mache objects made of recycled Thai newspapers and completed over the course of two years. The work is a unique, artistic expression of contemporary life, deeply informed by philosophy, in particular, Buddhist beliefs . The artist says: 20