Natagon Khamkayprong – Desolate Objects

Richard Koh Projects is pleased to announce Natagon Khamkayprong’s (b.1993, Thailand) solo exhibition titled Desolate Objects. After his first solo exhibition at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) in 2020, Natagon continues his momentum in this exhibition featuring 17 intimate oil paintings. The exhibition is scheduled to run from 3 until 19 December 2020.

Natagon’s artistic practice very much involves imbuing surrounding objects with meaning. In this particular body of work, Natagon uses fresh produce as his subject matter and main outlet for narration. Compositionally, the works seemingly postulate itself as still-life paintings. However, upon closer observation, viewers are confronted by impression of wastage and a strong sense of nonchalance, and its suggestion of opulence is further enhanced by Natagon’s treatment of the paintings, in the spectacle and theatrics of the Romantic and Baroque painting style.

Natagon elevates his subject matter into a conduit for socio-political statement. In the context of this exhibition, the artist illustrates the decadence of a society that is blessed with a bountiful supply of fresh food and its consequential desensitization to waste. This body of work serves as a reminder to humanity that earth’s resources are finite, and if a culture of waste continues, human existence will be greatly threatened. At its core, this exhibition is an extension of Natogon’s struggle to reconcile humanity’s path towards a desolate future.