A dark French Louis-style vanity table appears strikingly exquisite. Perched atop it is a jet-black vase containing sophisticated black roses, alongside several black cosmetics arranged neatly on the surface. To the left stands a dress form adorned with an chic black cocktail dress, while on the right sits a sleek black floor lamp featuring intricately designed shades. Additionally, there’s a chair nearby accompanied by various bags and footwear scattered around the space.
This unusual dressing table and other props are on display at People’s Gallery in Bangkok Art and Culture Centre and viewers will quickly realise that every object in the dressing room is an art exhibition. The exhibition is titled “Luxury”, by Anukool Tungthaisong, who revealed that every artwork in this exhibition is black because it is covered or made from inner tubes from truck tyres.
“Since nobody pays attention to discarded rubber, I chose it as my medium because it symbolizes labor. Employing rubber to envelop art suggests that one cannot discern the true nature within just by looking at its exterior; reality may be concealed. This exhibit highlights the contemporary significance of luxury. By presenting this show in an area brimming with upscale shopping centers, ‘Luxury’ can effectively communicate its essence,” clarified Anukool.
The second solo show titled “Luxury” features works by Anukool. He started experimenting with rubber materials when he was a third-year student at the Faculty of Painting Sculpture and Graphic Arts, Silpakorn University.
“I brought my motorcycle to a repair shop where a mechanic replaced the inner tube. As I was searching for a suitable material for an upcoming project, I opted to use rubber because of its significant importance in rural regions and as a symbol representing the working class,” he explained.
The initial project I embarked on was inspired by traditional manual water pumps utilized for drawing groundwater in remote regions. Given their rarity nowadays, these pumps serve as reminders of societal changes whose ultimate benefits remain uncertain. To recreate one, I referred to online images and constructed my version using a manual design, encasing it in repurposed motorcycle innertubes.
Anukool has created numerous art pieces using rubber materials. Initially working with motorcycle inner tubes, he transitioned to utilizing truck tires as his creations grew bigger. Among his notable works is a piece titled “Dinner,” featuring an opulent dining setup comprising a sleek black table accompanied by nine fashionable chairs. The tabletop includes a dark vase holding black roses along with ebony-hued utensils. Suspended above this setting is an elaborate chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
Dinner, which was a part of his thesis during his bachelor’s degree, won bronze prize in the mixed media category at the National Exhibition of Art in 2022. Additionally, “Dinner” was his first solo exhibition at the People’s Gallery in the BACC.
The concept behind “Dinner” revolves around an extravagant feast that is beyond reach for many but common fare for others. Every element of this installation—table, vase, utensils, and chandelier—is enveloped in black rubber. As viewers encounter “Dinner,” they are met not with the appetizing aroma of cuisine, but rather with the strong chemical odor emanating from the rubber. For this piece, I crafted one table and one chair specifically, whereas additional seating came from stores. These handmade pieces aim to provoke contemplation about authenticity versus illusion when appearances suggest otherwise.
Following the creation of “Dinner,” Anukool was chosen as one of 12 participants in the 2019 Young Artists Talent Program run by the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture. This program brought together these emerging artists at Naoshima Island in Japan. Exploring this island known for its modern art scene proved to be enlightening for Anukool.
I was struck by how thoughtfully designed Naoshima Island is. In order to maintain the island’s natural allure, the Chichu Art Museum was constructed beneath the surface. There, I encountered pieces by famous artists such as Claude Monet and Yayoi Kusama. This visit sparked my imagination, inspiring new concepts for artistic environments and innovative techniques I hadn’t previously explored,” he shared.
I was inspired by some intricately cut paper I encountered in Japan, leading me to adapt this method for crafting lampshades in ‘Luxury’. In these creations, I incorporated bigger rubber elements along with finer stitching and embroidery details. Furthermore, I chose to enroll in an educational program to ensure ongoing refinement of my craft under professional mentorship.
The artwork titled Chao Phraya, created by Anukool, is currently exhibited on the 9th floor of BACC. It received an honorable mention at the 14th White Elephant Art Awards. Unlike three-dimensional works such as Luxury and Dinner, Chao Phraya is a two-dimensional piece.
Anukool interprets the theme “Water and Transformation,” set forth by the White Elephant Art Award, through his depiction of the Chao Phraya River’s significant role in Thai culture over generations. Inspired by the ferries used to navigate this waterway, Anukool created a piece titled ‘Chao Phraya,’ which features numerous boats crafted from rubber. In the backdrop, several temples adorned with airbrush art add depth to the composition.
I observed that ferries have tires attached to their sides as buffers to avoid collisions with docks and other vessels. Inspired by this, I made pictures of boats using fragments of rubber. To depict temples, I utilized an airbrush technique since these structures historically held a central place in the lives of Thai people.
Being a dedicated full-time artist, Anukool took part in numerous art contests to fund his upcoming projects. If he doesn’t secure any awards, he needs to work as an art handler to make ends meet.
I don’t experience pressure if I don’t receive any awards, but I must assess how I can get better.
Anukool intends to produce additional creations utilizing rubber. His final ambition is to construct an art gallery employing rubber as the primary material on his property located in Nakhon Ratchasima.
He stated his intention to construct an entire dwelling that would function as a compact art gallery enveloped in rubber, marking it as his lifelong endeavor.
The primary objective of being an artist is to showcase their creations. As an artist, I embrace various forms of criticism. It brings me joy to produce art and leaves me with ample vigor to continue making additional pieces.”
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