By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — Staring into space… There is a feeling of wanting to do something so much, but just not finding the groove for it. A thread of psychology says that getting in ‘flow’ is one of the most critical mental health and well-being behaviours. Those of us who are lucky enough to lose ourselves regularly in chasing a photo, playing a tune, pursuing a life drawing, or knitting a...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — Now that we can see the end of the COVID-19 pandemic on the horizon, it's a good time to reflect on the changes it made to our lives. As an artist, I can't help but focus on the way the pandemic altered the art world. It made a serious impact, and the new approaches that came out of those bleak months are likely to stay with us for a long time to come. Art was hit particularly hard...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — If we take a look at the art world before the pandemic, we see a lot of resistance to developing digital exhibitions. The technology was there. People even tried it from time to time. But almost everyone in the industry still thought in terms of getting people and art into the same physical space. But the pandemic changes all that. To survive, the art world had to pivot to the digital realm....

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — The festival itself was a huge success. There was an excellent turnout for this 4-day event from 3-6 April 2021 at Lhong 1919 , especially considering how much anxiety there is surrounding COVID-19. It was so good to see old friends and meet so many new ones. Courtesy of Mango Art Festival I really enjoyed getting to mingle and share ideas with other artists and even set up...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — Abstract Photography Abstract photography is characterised by images that do not have a central recognisable subject matter, or concrete object featured. It's a way to move away from an impulse to describe or depict a person or object as the main reason for the photo. Abstract photography frees up the act of taking and viewing the photo from representation and figuration in a...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — Silpa Bhirasri, the Father of Modern Art in Thailand   Photo: Sculpture par Silpa Bhirasri by  Korat.nfe.go.th . The story really begins with Soemprungsuk’s teacher, Silpa Bhirasri (1892-1962). Bhirasri was born in Florence, Italy as Corrado Feroci. He studied at the Royal Art Academy of Florence and went on to teach there, serving as an instructor...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — Abstract photography encapsulates many different techniques, approaches, physical materials and subject matters. It often has content from the real-world representational context but the approach that the photographer has taken in framing the image makes it abstract. The richness of diversity within abstract photography as a genre is one of its most fascinating elements. Photo:...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — You’ve gathered an incredible collection. Every piece is up on the wall and hanging level. You’re all done, right? Not so fast. You still haven’t taken care of the most critical part of the process: lighting . Knowing how to light artwork on the wall is one of the most important skills for gallerists and private collectors alike. Without the right lighting, you...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — To understand how the Taking it Personal Thai street photographers exhibition is pushing the genre into new, interesting directions, you need to understand what makes street photography so special in the first place. There are many photography genres that continue to grow — especially as photography becomes more available to people worldwide. These added opportunities and new...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — Everybody hurts, as the song goes, and sometimes we notice the hurt, sometimes we do not and carry on with our lives, other times we cannot get around it and need to take action in order to heal. I know photography has played a role for me in terms of coping strategies and making positive progress in my mental health and the pain I have felt at different times. It has made me recognise...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — We live in an era where purchasing fine art photography can be a rewarding and fun experience. Over the years, print materials have improved. This has revolutionised how fine art photography is appreciated. Online marketplaces have simplified the photo art procurement process. As a result, you can quickly capitalise on fantastic opportunities in a fine art collection if you are mindful of...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — One essence of art is that it enables us to communicate to the world by expressing inner feelings through our creative visions. It is a form of communication with other humans that is indirect but deeply profound. Artists tell their stories through art. Whatever format they use, the art should communicate human emotions so that others can interpret for themselves. Additionally, the...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — The photo series Illusion is now live here on the site . Getting it ready to share has enabled me to look back on last year and particularly the early stages of the COVID-19 lockdown in the spring of 2020. At that time I was, like all of us, affected by the information coming through the news and the statistics that started to be revealed. There was an increasing feeling of fear and...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — The power of technology makes it is easier than ever to discover truly inspiring new talent. With everyone online, you can make connections and see portfolios with just the push of a button. People worldwide are doing an incredible job of showcasing their work to be viewed and inspire. Especially in Thailand, many passionate photographers capture their images in impactful ways; thankfully,...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — Therapeutic Use of Art Photography Photography is so embedded in our lives it can play an important role in therapy and resilience-building whether it be through our own positive, creative exercises as practitioners or within recovery processes led by professional Art Therapists. Art Therapy was established in the first half of the 20th century, bringing together learning from several...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — With so many eye-catching players emerging into Bangkok’s vibrant art scene, it’s easy to miss out on some worthwhile art galleries. Maybe they’re hidden in a quiet neighbourhood or are too small to be flashy; nevertheless, these under-the-radar art galleries house dynamic collections you won’t want to miss. Keep an eye out on pop-up exhibitions too. SAC...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — The Value of Photograph Discussing the Photograph Photographs have immense value personally and to us as a society. They are the way we capture and reflect our lives and stories. They are also how we understand the world and a way of sharing our experience of it. Since the advent of photography in the early 1800s, we’ve used photography to record and celebrate our lives and...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — Fine art prints are a wonderful way for artists to expand what they offer, and they allow art lovers to purchase far more work than if they only bought originals. And with the improvement in materials and the wider availability of archival quality inks and papers, prints have never been better. Especially for photographers, prints are a way for a single work of art to be enjoyed by far...

By BRYCE Watanasoponwong — Peppered throughout Bangkok is a vibrant and fast-growing art scene. From minimalist pieces to contemporary installations, Thai artists are experiencing a new wave that is encouraging them to move towards international success. And visitors are finding fascinating stories within Bangkok's art sphere. Whether you're an artist, an art enthusiast or simply a curious traveller, the...

By Bryce Watanasoponwong — Due to the latest outbreak of COVID-19, Mango Art Festival has been moved to April. Courtesy of Mango Art Festival --> Mango Art Festival 11-14 February 2021       3 - 6 April 2021   @ Lhong 1919 | 248 Chiang Mai Rd, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600, Thailand Thailand is rich with beautiful...

By Bryce Watanasoponwong — Get inspired with a roundup of impressive Thai photographers that need to be on your radar in 2021. Making incredible waves with their work in Thailand and worldwide, these talented photographers are bringing exceptional pieces to their chosen areas of street photography, documentary work, or fine art. The following group of ambitious photographers excludes wild passion and fierce...