If you ask ChatGPT, “What is the definition of a hero?”, the answer would be: “A person who demonstrates bravery, self-sacrifice, and the ability to face hardships or challenging problems,” which is the image we’ve always been familiar with.
The exhibition “Hero & Heroine” seeks to shift this perspective, allowing everyone to see a hidden side of heroes by revealing their weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and even sadness. The concept behind the exhibition is that “heroes don’t have to be perfect.” This idea is expressed through the eyes of two young artists, Guy Satayu and Little.aii.
This collaborative exhibition is a continuation of the partnership between True Digital Park and Madskills, a Thai startup gallery, with the goal of promoting young artists and helping them gain broader recognition. The exhibition is open to the public for free every day, inviting everyone to appreciate art up close.
In a time when the image of heroes is framed by courage and perfection, there is no better moment to open your heart and visit an exhibition that explores their vulnerabilities and imperfections.
Heroes from Two Perspectives
From the perspective of Guy – Satayu Liewkittivorakul, also known as Guy Satayu, a hero is not solely defined by strength and bravery. He aims to portray heroes as having two sides, much like a coin, with hidden emotions of sadness, loneliness, or flaws that are often concealed from society. Guy’s work is expressed through various complex characters, reflected in surrealist paintings featuring muted tones, which are a signature of his current collection.
One of the pieces, titled Flip Side, fully encapsulates Guy’s concept. The artwork presents six faces arranged in pairs, each holding a hidden meaning.
“This piece reveals a side of heroes that we often don’t see, like flipping a coin to reveal the other side. The faces are drawn as twins, one showing happiness and kindness, while the other represents the opposite—perhaps fear, indifference, or even malevolence,” Guy explained.
Embracing Imperfection with Joy
Ai – Aiyada Namsiripaiboon, known as Little.aii, presents her work with vibrant oil paintings that offer a different perspective on heroes. She uses the playful and cute character Bubble Bear, a balloon bear, to show that heroes also have flaws, but embracing imperfection with joy is the true essence of being a hero, something that exists within everyone.
“My inspiration comes from my love for heroes like the Powerpuff Girls, who can be whiny or spoiled like children. This evolved into the Bubble Bear character, which tells the story in this exhibition. There are small details that reflect imperfection, like a rainbow that doesn’t have all seven colors or a heart-shaped balloon that has been patched up so it can float again. Each piece shows happiness, even with the subtle hints of imperfection,” Ai explained.
Differences that Complete Each Other
The highlight of this duo exhibition is positioned at the center of the studio, featuring a collaborative artwork by the two artists that merges their distinct characters into a single piece. Behind the creation of this artwork lies the challenge of working within a tight timeframe while the two artists reside in different provinces.
“After discussing the concept, I had to start first because I was working in Sakon Nakhon. I painted the overall piece but left space for Guy’s character, which he had sketched and sent to me. I then completed my part and waited three days for the paint to dry before rushing to send it to Guy in Bangkok, where he added the details, including his character and the grassy background in his signature color palette, just in time for the exhibition,” Ai explained about the collaborative process, resulting in a harmonious and cohesive artwork.
The exhibition not only presents heroes in the world of art but also invites viewers to reflect on the question, “Who is your hero?” It challenges the notion that strength means the absence of weakness, reminding us that even heroes have moments when they must confront their own vulnerabilities.
Nurturing Creative Careers for the Next Generation.
“True Digital Park’s support is just the starting point of these young artists’ careers. What we do is provide a small push for them to keep moving forward. In the future, they might hold solo exhibitions here, elsewhere, or even abroad. We will continue to cheer them on,” said Dr. Tarit Nimmanwudipong, General Manager of True Digital Park, in his closing remarks.
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The ‘Hero & Heroine’ exhibition will be held from 27 September to 3 November 2024, at TDPK Studio 2, 2nd Floor, True Digital Park West, Bangkok (BTS Punnawithi Station). The exhibition is open daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM with free admission. For more information about activities, visit the website at https://www.truedigitalpark.com
