Unnecessary Drama
The premier solo show from Thai artist, Arm Wantaya
This collection of works, curated by Louis Supple, has been produced over a two-year period, and represents the artist’s intimate reflections of conversations in everyday life. A self proclaimed ‘sidekick’ in these interactions, Wantaya plays the role of spectator, stating that; “for me to complain or to contribute would make no difference”. Electing to express himself through imagery post-conversation, instead of vocally in the moment, the audience becomes witness to the artist’s digested interpretations and opinions.
While Wantaya’s style is steered predominantly by his elucidation of social interactions, his artworks also display a sensitivity and understanding; “To calm myself down, I try to look at the funny side of things, almost making fun of the topic (or people), in my own manner”. This more lighthearted take is represented by the cartoon-esque figures in his work, depicting the most mundane anecdotes to the most pressing social and political issues of our time.
Stained in a rich melange of rose pinks, golden yellows and deep cyans, Wantaya’s artworks are true portrayals of the emotion and comprehension witnessed throughout scenarios in both his past and present. His instantly recognisable compositions appear compact and uncompromising. Collisions between subjects are a frequent occurrence and palettes blend from ivory to orange, though on closer inspection, Wantaya’s works are revealed to be carefully constructed stories, their pictorial complexity hidden in plain sight.
Often blurring the lines between figuration and abstraction, Wantaya constructs a scene where familiar anatomical parts take leading roles in the narrative—the protagonist commonly a hand. Playing on this ambiguity, he leaves it to the audience to decipher for themselves their own true meaning of the work.
Painting what could be described as a cropped version of events, Wantaya deliberately excludes facial expressions, explaining that these would only add increased tension and unnecessary drama to his artworks. Specifying the audience’s field of view, the objective is to reduce the painting from once a scene, now to a set of obscure actions, thinly veiled in misdirection.
About the Artist
Arm Wantaya (b.1984) is a self-taught artist from Nonthaburi, Thailand.
After graduating from Raffles Design College in 2006, he went on to study Multimedia at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, before voluntarily leaving the field of advertising in 2018 to focus solely on his artwork.
Working across several disciplines (painting, ceramic and moving image) Wantaya’s work explores themes of dialogue and assimilation. Subject matters are drawn from the mundanity of everyday life to pressing and complex socio-political issues, each piece an intimate reflection of the artist’s cognisance.
Wantaya currently works from his studio in Bangkok and produced his latest series titled ‘Unnecessary Drama’, over a two-year period, throughout the pandemic.
Venue: RCB Photographers’ Gallery 2 on 2nd floor
Free Admission
