Beneath the Hills

Beneath the Hills

Artists ⎮ Rattakhate Puksuk

Exhibition Date ⎮ April 3–28 , 2026

Venue ⎮ 6060 Arts Space (Black Building)

Opening Hours ⎮ 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Closed on Sundays)

☀︎ Opening Reception ⎮ April 4, 2026 | 5 - 8 pm.

This series of paintings explores the overlapping spaces between physical forms, memories, and historical narratives. By examining physical similarities that harbor vastly different meanings. By exploring how things can look the same but mean something different, the artist contrasts the 'green hills' of 90s kids' TV with the landscape of Chinese cemeteries. Using the simple curves to connect these two worlds: the playful green hills and the quiet green of a cemetery.

The artist drew inspiration from the stories of World War II survivors, specifically their stories of running away from bombs and diving into underground holes to hide. At first, the artist imagined these scenes as a joyful dive into a hole—much like wonderful scenes from a TV show—or imagined explosions as the thrilling, exciting, and colorful scenes from a favorite anime. However, through the lens of adulthood, these memories have been deconstructed.

The peaceful landscape of children's programming now overlaps with the image of a cemetery. The act of 'diving into a hole' is no longer entertainment; it represents the threshold between life and death that the narrator once faced.

The radiant yellow sun has been transformed into the flare of war, while also functioning as a 'Divine Light.' It symbolizes the light of prayer for survival while seeking refuge—a holy light that gives hope for tomorrow.

Through the "layering of pigments and textures," the artist creates a space that shows how past memories have shifted and faded over time. The surfaces of the hills are not merely flat green planes but are composed of multiple translucent layers. This technique invites the viewer to sense the "historical layers" beneath the beauty of the grassland.