Natee Utarit – Historia

Richard Koh Fine Art proudly presents “Historia,” a solo exhibition by the renowned Thai artist Natee Utarit. Originating from the ancient Greek term “Historia,” which embodies the quest for knowledge and the exploration of the past, this extraordinary exhibition will unfold from 9^th to 30^th September 2023, at our Singapore gallery located at 47 Malan Road, 01-26 Gillman Barracks, Singapore.

“Historia” marks the culmination of Utarit’s remarkable artistic journey within the Hierarchy of Painting series. His unique approach presents a synthesis of the pursuit of knowledge and an exploration of the past, revealing the intricate layers of artistic tradition and personal identity. Through 24 meticulously crafted paintings, Utarit invites you to peer through windows to the past, bridging the gap between historical influences and contemporary creativity.

Utarit’s fascination with art publications, exemplified by his encounters with second-hand book stalls and his exploration of renowned art magazines like “Art in America,” unfolds as a thematic thread in this exhibition. The exhibition, akin to a semi-autobiographical account of Utarit, delves into the artist’s formative years, from his first encounters with artists like Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Robert Ryman, and Robert Motherwell to the influence of his father’s love for literature.

Join us in exploring art, history, and self-discovery as “Historia” weaves a tapestry of narratives through paint and canvas. Each artwork stands as a testament to Utarit’s enduring commitment to his craft and the profound influence of art on his life.

Natee Utarit (b.1970, Bangkok, Thailand) studied at the College of Fine Art in 1987 and graduated in Graphic Arts at the Painting and Sculpture Faculty at Silpakorn University, both in Bangkok, Thailand in 1991. Solo exhibitions include Optimism is Ridiculous: The Altarpieces, The Private Museum, Singapore (2018), Optimism is Ridiculous: The Altarpieces, National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia (2017), Optimism is Ridiculous: The Altarpieces, Ayala Museum, Manila, the Philippines (2017), Illustration of the Crisis, Bangkok University Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand (2013), After Painting, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore (2010) and The Amusement of Dreams, Hope and Perfection, Art Center of Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (2007). Recent group exhibitions include Beyond Bliss, Bangkok Art Biennale 2018, Bangkok, Thailand (2018), Contemporary Chaos, Vestfossen Kunstlaboratorium, Norway (2018), Thai Eye, BACC, Bangkok, Thailand and Saatchi Gallery, London, UK (2016/2015), Art of ASEAN, Bank Negara Museum and Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2015), Time of Others, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (2015) and Asian Art Biennale 2013: Everyday Life, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taipei, Taiwan (2013). 

His work is part of many renowned collections, such as the Bangkok University, Bangkok, Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore, as well as private collections in Europe and Asia. 

Utarit’s multifaceted practice focuses on exploring the medium of painting connecting it with photography and classical Western art. Light and perspective are some of the elements the artist chose to work with, focusing on painting as a means to explore image making. His complex pictures, which juggle wide-ranging metaphors usually in the format of the traditional still life, allude to Thailand’s current social and political landscapes.