Vipoo Srivilasa support materials for
Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship application.
Selected Recent Works
Elarat / Ela, 2023
Glaze ceramic and gold lustre
The vessels have been conceptualised as human bodies for a long time. It is the vessel that contains spirit and soul. My vessel contains the spirit of a character from 130 years old Thai literature named Elarat who is sexually fluid. Elarat sexuality changes every month. One month known as Elarat, a male form and the next month known as Ela, a female form. Elarat is part of the great Ramayana epic story.
The vessel depicts Elarat in both forms, adorned with Dungowan Bush Tomato flowers (A gender-fluid Australian plant that can vary between male, female or neither) and Australian Jacks Plant flowers which change its gender from year to year.
Solitude and Connection, 2023
Solitude and connection celebrate the diverse forms of love. Solitude fosters self-discovery and growth, nurturing a strong self-bond. The works portray the tranquility and resilience of solitude. Conversely, connection embodies love's enchantment as two hearts intertwine, nurturing shared growth. The series captures the tenderness and devotion in these relationships, honoring their beauty. Love transcends human bonds, permeating friendships, family ties, and our profound connection with nature. These relationships, like vibrant petals in an expansive garden, remind us of love's boundless nature.
Always Better Together, 2022
Porcelain, cobalt pigment and gold lustre
Being an artist in Melbourne during one of the world's toughest and longest Covid-19 lockdowns, I felt the absence of close companionship. Reflecting on this post-pandemic, I created "Always Better Together" to convey my belief that belief that life is best experienced with friends and family.
Behind the scene VIDEO footage.
Hungry Ghost, 2022
Glazed ceramic and gold lustre
2021 marked the year I lost several dear friends. Turning to art as a means of processing emotions and comprehending the world, I channeled my grief into "The Hungry Ghost" series. This body of work became a way for me to grapple with despair while also embracing a positive perspective on death. Through my own research, I delved into diverse cultural traditions surrounding death. I drew parallels between imagery from my Thai heritage, Mexico's "The Day of the Dead," and the tales of Japan's Oni (demons) and Yurei (ghosts).
Rainbow Warrior, 2019
Bronze, porcelain and mixed media.
The rainbow flag, recognized as the gay pride flag, serves as a vibrant emblem of LGBT pride and social movements. Its diverse colors symbolize the range of human sexuality and gender. The six-stripe version, featuring red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, carries profound meanings: Spirit, Serenity, Nature, Sunlight, Healing, and Life. In my sculpture, I incorporate bronze to signify enduring strength, paralleling the long-lasting nature of this material. The flag, like bronze, represents a lasting metaphor for resilience and unity within the LGBTQ+ community.
The Marriage of Sang Thon, 2019
Painted bronze
The Marriage of Sang Thong was at the time, a deeply personal story for me as it mirrored the situation of same-sex marriage in Australia and Thailand. The series inspired by the traditional Thai folk tale tells of Prince Sang Thong and his love Rochana and the trials the couple endure before their love, which contravenes social conventions eventually gains acceptance.
The works recounted in ten narrative vignettes representing moments in world history that have contributed directly, or indirectly, to the acceptance of same-sex partnerships. I use bronze, a robust and permanent medium to symbolise the strong concept of marriage and a solid commitment a couple makes to each other. Bronze is also a medium for religious statues. It would represent the sacred concept of marriage in my work.
Happy Together, 2017
Porcelain, cobalt pigment and gold lustre
The passing of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej deeply affected me in October 2016, prompting a desire to create art that exuded cheerfulness and positivity. Conducting my own research, I found that sharing photos with optimistic imagery, particularly joyful "selfies," could uplift one's mood. This resonated with my own feelings, leading to the creation of "selfie sculptures" inspired by the online selfies I encountered. The "V" hand symbol, denoting peace and happiness in Asia, particularly brought me joy. Amidst grief for the loss of the King, this symbol became a means to find solace and inner peace.
