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Home / News / 2005... can you believe it? (January 2015)

2005... can you believe it?

January 2015

 

I am staggered that the years seem to rush by so quickly and it seems only such a short time ago that we were worried about the Y2K issue (for those who don't remember, that was the concern that all our computers would cease to function when the year became 2000).

Well, that is now 15 years ago and the world has moved forward since then.

It has been an interesting time since the year began, as I have been in Asia meeting artists and seeing what is happening on the ground.

Undoubtedly, Asia is growing. There are more Rolls Royces on the streets than I have ever seen before and not just in China... everywhere.

New private galleries housing huge private art collections are still being built and, although often the collections are "patchy", there are some great works to be seen and it confirms the importance of contemporary art locally, be it in China, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines or really anywhere in Asia.

As I have said many times, Asia is the new world and it is, for me, where the most exciting and affordable artworks are being created.

This trip has uncovered two artists whose works I find significant: Seri Phuengporn (Thailand) and Nur Khamim (Indonesia).

Both are figurative artists, although following very different paths.


The Buddha, Sapphire, Ayutthaya by Asian artist Seri Phuengporn (Thailand)
The Buddha, Sapphire, Ayutthaya,
by Asian artist Seri Phuengporn (Thailand)
synthetic polymers (acrylic) on canvas, 120cm x 120cm

Seri Phuengporn's works are an intricate maze of meandering brushstrokes creating pixelated images of the Buddha. The canvas, when viewed up close, is an abstracted maze of colour, really beautiful in its own right, yet from a distance, the face of the Buddha is clearly visible. Wonderful work. We also have a matching pair, The Buddha, Ruby, Ayutthaya.

Seri is a graduate of Silpakorn University in Bangkok, regarded as the home of the vast majority of the masters of Thai art over the last 50 years.

We are amazed that we are able to offer Seri's works at these prices as, frankly, they are gems, beautifully painted, original and absolute bargains.


Our other new artist is Nur Khamim.

Mortgaged by Asian artist Nur Khamim (Indonesia)
Mortgaged,
by Asian artist Nur Khamim (Indonesia)
oil on canvas, 175cm x 142cm

Nur Khamim is an established artist in Indonesia, with a significant exhibition history including exhibitions at the Galeri Nasional Indonesia in Jakarta, in 2008 and 2010.

Nur looks at the social reality in Indonesia, even the world, today. He sees the average working man blinded by money, heavily indebted and with his much mortgaged home being his whole self.

These are disturbing images, yet depictions of reality for many in our 21st century world.

Nur's skill and technique are outstanding. His vision and interpretation, original. Significant work.


An update too on Pairoj Karndee.

Pairoj continues to be one of our favourite artists, as well as a wonderful, gentle human being. He is still creating one work per month and the quality shows. Such work cannot be rushed.

His latest work, Sapphire Apsara (below), is testament to an outstanding artist of immense talent.

Sapphire Apsara by Asian artist Pairoj Karndee (Thailand)
Sapphire Apsara,
by Asian artist Pairoj Karndee (Thailand)
synthetic polymers (acrylic) on linen, 90cm x 120cm


Finally, regarding some news from Aboriginal Australia. We have been saddened to hear that Naata Nungurrayi is no longer painting.

Marrapinti (2007 Cat 15607NN) by Aboriginal artist Naata Nungurrayi (Australia)
Marrapinti (2007 Cat 15607NN),
by Aboriginal artist Naata Nungurrayi (Australia)
synthetic polymers on linen, 92cm x 120cm

As I mentioned in an earlier newsletter, with the inevitable ageing of these senior artists, those with a direct connection with the outback and desert and the Dreaming, we are really witnessing the end of an era, one that will go down as the Golden Era of Australian Aboriginal art.

On that note, we wish you all happiness, health and a year of good fortune for 2015.


Please, if you have any questions or queries, feel free to contact us.
Anthony Smith and the asart team


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Anthony Smith has been invited by Art Antiques Design to share his expertise about art in a series of articles:

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