Gongkan Muses on the Surrealism of Social Life at Tang Contemporary Art

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The upcoming solo exhibition by Thai artist Gongkan (Kantapon Metheekul), is ready to debut at Tang Contemporary Art, coinciding with Art Basel Hong Kong. Entitled “Asynchronous Affinities“, the show delves into the concept of “the right person, wrong time” as a starting point, employing it to scrutinize the intricate nuances of personal bonds, societal settings, and modern life in general.

In this new collection, the Bangkok-based artist ventures into fresh territory, exploring themes of social critique and personal growth through universally relatable images of festivity, dining, and recreation. His enchanting, somewhat surreal tableaus build upon his existing body of work, chronicling the adventures of a young protagonist – a self-portrayal – traversing cosmic realms, diverse cultural backdrops, and verdant vistas.

Painted with delicate layers of color and subtle tones, and utilizing simple, minimalistic shapes, Gongkan’s artworks radiate a peaceful, contemplative ambiance. The artistic style serves as a metaphor for the liminal spaces that facilitate collective comprehension.

As a fan, I’d express it like this: This artist, deeply rooted in his Chinese heritage, particularly the Teochew community of Chaoshan, masterfully captures the intricacies of identity and the rich tapestry woven from these multicultural connections. In “Non-Traditional Recipe,” a traditional blue-and-white porcelain bowl transforms into a bath for two of his distinctive characters. In “Endless Reflection,” figures with heads reminiscent of Thai temple spires emerge from a sequence of portals. The artist, Gongkan, is set to unveil a new installation: a rotating Chinese dining table laden with “dishes” that challenge consumer culture. These “dishes” are made from artifacts such as knotted fast fashion garments resembling buns, magazine strips spun into noodles, and CD stacks mimicking Peking duck wraps.

In this setting, Gongkan poses queries concerning mismatched – or “out-of-sync” – connections that impact us across cultural, social, and economic boundaries. The work is both whimsical and insightful, mirroring the struggle between forces shaping our identities, and by accepting this dynamic, the artist invites us into a flexible universe he has crafted, where cultures intertwine and separate, and identity remains in a state of perpetual change – similar to people traversing these ever-changing environments.

The exhibition titled “Asynchronous Affinities” begins on March 22 and continues through May 14. For additional information, please visit the gallery’s official website.

Tang Contemporary Art Hong Kong
10/F H Queen’s,
80 Queen’s Road Central,
Central, Hong Kong

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2025-03-20 21:25