the FROZEN, a group exhibition by Prach Pimarnman and Surasit Mankong
Artist: Prach Pimarnman and Surasit Mankong
Curator: Penwadee Nophaket Manont
2nd Floor, SAC Gallery
27 April – 27 July 2024
the FROZEN: A New World Crisis, enigmatic powers crystallise thoughts, distort identities, and reshape the legends and histories of the Patani Kingdom and Kam Chanot Forest.
Bangkok, 27 April 2024 — SAC Gallery extends a warm invitation to “the FROZEN” group exhibition, curated by Penwadee Nophaket Manont. This profound reflection on the epochal ideas and stories shapes the challenges and transformations of our century. Through the lens of a burgeoning global crisis, the exhibition unveils the artistic explorations of Prach Pimarnman and Surasit Mankong, presenting ten diverse mixed-media pieces ranging from small to large scales.
“the FROZEN” reveals the human effort to adapt within a world teeming with complexity and uncertainty. It critically examines the mass media’s role in normalising societal myths, revealing significant shifts across social, economic, and political domains that influence our cultural consciousness. Visitors are invited to delve into the local lore and historical truths from two distinct regions outside Bangkok: the historical Patani Kingdom or today’s southern border provinces, and the mystical Kam Chanot Forest in Udon Thani, both marked by the subtle influences of deep-state powers.
In the first exhibition room, the “Saen Saep” series by Prach Pimarnman presents a varied ensemble of works, including wood-assembled sculpture, cement sculpture, gold leaf-covered ceramic sculpture, fragments of local gold, and ceramics made from Patani local clay, moving images, and sounds from interviews, lighting arrangements, and shadows. These pieces, crafted from Pattani's local materials, portray the persistent struggle and cultural preservation among the villagers, depicting the vitality and resilience of a culture that continues to thrive despite centuries of upheaval.
Pimarnman masterfully narrates the history of the Patani Kingdom, intertwining the downfall of the kingdom with the enduring scars on the Patani Malays, who were enslaved during the early Rattanakosin era. The long-lasting impact of these historical events continues to shape the lives of the Pattani people today.
The presentation of these works not only perpetuates ancient tales but also connects them to today’s realities, encouraging us to reflect on the influence these historical narratives exert on our current existence and well-being.
In the second exhibition room, the “The Creative Universe” series by Surasit Mankong is revealed, drawing inspiration from a journey back to origins in Udon Thani and the revelation of hidden realities. This series examines the dynamic relationship between humanity and the shifting environments during the COVID-19 pandemic, pulling the artist back to his roots to scrutinise government policies impacting rural livelihoods, particularly in the Kam Chanot area.
This series showcases brass sculptures encased in a refrigerator, accompanied by semi-sculptural photographs and auditory creations that invite the viewer to traverse the sacred realms of Kam Chanot forest and its water sources, now sanctified.
From the mystical depths of Kam Chanot, where legends like “The Screen at Kamchanod” meet the cultural tide of the “Nakee” phenomenon, these narratives stir the soul and draw millions, circulating vast wealth. Wrapped in the aura of ghosts, Brahmanism, and Buddhism, Kam Chanot is reborn, emerging as what one might call a “cultural artefact”.
The arrival of outsiders kindles a flux of ideas, merging into new beliefs, novel ritualistic forms, and myriad activities, including those where sanctity shapes the destiny of individuals. This further cements Kam Chanot not merely as a forest lush with natural bounty but as a revered sacred land.
Exploring more than the socio-cultural impacts of state-controlled resources and habitats, Mankong probes the state-induced interventions and evolutions, potentially mismatched with the local ways and needs, challenging the sustainability and fittingness of such developments.
“the FROZEN” group exhibition by Prach Pimarnman and Surasit Mankong extends beyond a mere exploration of history and culture. It provokes discussions and questions about our methods of remembering and interpreting historical experiences. Furthermore, it initiates dialogues and reflections on the trajectory of future development that should be pursued sustainably and equitably.
We earnestly hope that “the FROZEN” will provide an enriching experience that not only fulfils your artistic interests but also deepens your understanding of the urban and global contexts we live in.
information provided by event organizer
