The Second Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art exhibition catalogue (APT2)

Since 1983, Jakapan Vilasineekul has continuously exhibited his works publicly, both nationally and internationally. In 1984 he was selected to exhibit his work at the '2nd ASEAN Youth Painting Workshop and Exhibition' in Malaysia. In 1986 he won third prize for sculpture at the '32nd National Exhibition of Art', Bangkok. In the same year he also won second prize at the 'Third Exhibition of Contemporary Art by Young Artists', Bangkok. In 1987 he won third prize for sculpture at the '33rd National Exhibition of Art, Bangkok'. In 1988 Jakapan Vilasineekul was selected as the Young Artist of the Year 1988 at Silpakorn University, Bangkok. In 1992 he took part in the exhibition 'Kunst' in Orgelfabrik in Karlsruhe, Germany. From 1990 Jakapan Vilasineekul started to use mixed media in his sculptures, displaying excellent skills in the techniques of making figurative sculpture and in assemblage-style work, mixing and applying different types of material to form unique sculptural works. His solo show in 1994 inspired Thailand's contemporary sculpture in a new direction, in which the subjects and events of the sculpture reflect critical views, sarcastic attitudes, bitterness and sadness. These feelings arise from sculptural shapes resembling the outlines of containers, tools, household objects and furniture in a Thai home, combined with shapes resembling parts of human or animal bodies. In works such as Path 1992, Knee, hands, feet 1993, and Thailand, can you cover a dead elephant with a lotus leaf? Jakapan Vilasineekul brings together familiar phenomena and various common utensils whose abstract meanings and symbolism we know. He then changes and transforms their original functions and adds new uses to the objects or inspires feelings about their new capacities. At the same time he adapts the original characteristics of the items. In the catalogue accompanying his 1994 solo exhibition, the artist says: When I look around, the two categories of things I see are things I am familiar with and those unfamiliar to me. Some things remind me of someone, some event, some word or some feeling. A chair I see today may be an object I am not familiar with now, but Iwill become familiar with it tomorrow, since it will relate to and become involved with a time, a place or an event in the experience and memory of my life. I have lost from my memory or forgotten many events, some people, and some feelings. Some of the things I see today have made the lost memory come alive. I am perhaps making something from my memory of someone, some event, or some feelings that pass through my mind. 1 In the works Cleaner 1994 and Hope seller 1994, the artist tells the life stories of people who can only survive by hard labour, using their bodies as tools and utensils to maintain life in a society where they Top Detail, Sandal, doormat 1994 Iron, cement 7x230x75cm Collection:Theartist survive in deformity, inhumanity and bitterness. Another work, Sandal, doormat 1994, clearly reflects the contradictions in most people's lives between their dreams and their realities. Jakapan Vilasineekul's sculpture uses the language of feelings.This language arises from the characteristics of the materials which he expertly transforms into shapes to symbolise his meanings. It is sculpture whose form and stories strongly inspire and capture people's emotions. His works are a perfect representation of the life and contemporary art of the people in present-day Thailand. MontienBoonma,Sculptor, Nonthaburee, Thailand 1 JakapanVilasineekul, catalogue toaccompany the exhibitionat theArt Galleryof theFacultyof Painting,SculptureandGraphic Art, Silpakorn University, Bangkok. 12-30 December1994, AmarinPrinting and Publishing Public Co. Ltd, Bangkok,1994. Bottom Cleaner 1994 Lives and works in Bangkok, Thailand Bench, floor and toilet cleaning set, wood,synthetic leather 153x125x75cm Collection: The artist A RT I S T S : S OUT H A ND S OUT H- E AS T AS I A 105